Transfer Centre

Willian reveals Manchester United talks over summer move

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 09 August 2017

Willian admits that he has a mutual admiration for Jose Mourinho and could have reunited with his former boss this summer had Chelsea been willing to negotiate.

Willian has suggested that he would have reunited with former boss Jose Mourinho at Manchester United this summer had Chelsea not blocked the move.

The 29-year-old cut a frustrated figure at times in the Blues' title-winning campaign last time out after finding himself in and out of the side.

Willian stood out in Mourinho's final season at the Stamford Bridge helm, however, being named as Player of the Year when scoring five league goals and assisting six more in 2015-16.

It emerged in April that the Brazilian forward was on Mourinho's radar at United, and the player has himself confirmed that a move could have gone through had his current club been willing to listen to offers.

"There were a few conversations with my agent. I worked with Mourinho and I became his friend as well," he told Goal.com. "He likes me a lot and I like him a lot as a coach and as a person. He has put his trust in me and in my work, and I was very grateful to him.

"Manchester came to me, they talked with my agent, but nothing happened, because Chelsea would not negotiate me in any way and I'm very happy at Chelsea."

Chelsea have already sold midfielder Nemanja Matic to United this summer for a cost of £40m.