Arsenal are one of just two teams in for Willian as they prepare to offer him a three-year deal to join at the end of the season, reports David Ornstein.
The Brazilian will be out of contract at Chelsea and has been given the opportunity to stay at Stamford Bridge. There was also interest in the 31-year-old from Barcelona and MLS side Inter Miami. But while The Athletic understands he has not yet made a final decision on where he will move, a switch to north London is thought to appeal to Willian.
Arsenal’s likely offer will not be the most rewarding option on the table financially for Willian but it would be the most enticing from a football perspective. The vision and desire of manager Mikel Arteta and director of football Edu to bring him to the club has impressed Willian.
He has been on their list of targets for some time and Arteta has asked for him to be signed, with the club keen to deliver. Arsenal have stayed in the race, with only one other side now thought to be in the mix. Of the earlier interest, Miami would have provided the biggest financial rewards while Barcelona would have beaten the English clubs in terms of wages.
It would still be an expensive deal for Arsenal, but while Willian is nearly 32, they view it as worth it due to what he would bring to the squad and the club.
Willian missed the FA Cup final against Arsenal on Saturday due to injury – with Arteta winning his first trophy as a manager courtesy of a 2-1 win. He is also not expected to be involved for Chelsea against Bayern Munich in the Champions League this coming Saturday with the same complaint.
