Arsenal and Tottenham fighting over Chelsea’s Willian after transfer budgets wiped out by coronavirus shutdown

ARSENAL and Tottenham are fighting tooth and nail to sign Chelsea star Willian with their transfer budgets hit hard by coronavirus.

The North London clubs have both been hit in the pocket due to the enforced break from football.

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They will therefore be forced to settle for free transfers, player swaps and loan moves in order to improve their squad for 2020-21.

Willian is one of the biggest free agents this summer, with 86 players currently either returning to their parent clubs from a loan or available for nothing.

The Brazilian, 31, is almost certain to call time on his Stamford Bridge career, with the club not willing to offer him a length of contract he seems suitable.

Arsenal and Tottenham could now fight to take advantage, while Liverpool and Barcelona have also been linked with the former Shakhtar Donetsk man.

Willian's link to Jose Mourinho from his Blues days could see Spurs become the front-runners.

FUNDRAISERS

Manchester United and Chelsea will both have money to spend this summer.

However, mega-money moves such as United's proposed £100million swoop for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho may now seem more far-fetched.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are set to sell big-name stars such as John Stones and Leroy Sane to boost their coffers.

Arsenal and Spurs will perhaps need to do the same if they are to raise any money to bring in new faces of their own.

But the only players on their books certain to command a high fee would see them become weaker.

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For example, the Gunners are being tipped to sell club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Arsenal have also been linked with a swap deal that would see Thomas Lemar head to the Emirates and Alexandre Lacazette move to Atletico Madrid.

And Tottenham may finally sell Harry Kane, with the England star desperate to win trophies and the club themselves needing the cash.