Transfer Centre

Chelsea board 'to discuss Willian future'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 23 July 2018

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and director Marina Granovskaia will reportedly meet with manager Maurizio Sarri to discuss the future of Willian this week.

Willian is understood to be wanted by both Manchester United and Barcelona, the latter of whom have made a £65m bid as their third and final approach for the Brazilian winger.

The Daily Mail reports that the Blues are as yet undecided on whether to accept Barcelona's latest offer for the 29-year-old, who will turn 30 before the start of the new Premier League season.

However, Chelsea would prefer to sell Willian to a foreign team rather than to rivals Manchester United, while the player himself is also thought to be keen on a move to Camp Nou.

Abramovich, Granovskaia and Sarri will meet this week to discuss potential outgoings and incomings, including the possibility of using the Willian fee to help rebuild their squad.

The West Londoners, who could also sell Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid, have been linked with moves for Juventus trio Gonzalo Higuain, Daniele Rugani and Mattia Caldara.

CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin is another reported target for Sarri's side, despite facing competition for his signature from Monaco, while they have also been credited with an interest in Manchester United winger Anthony Martial.