Arsenal
are close to completing the signing of midfielder Willian from Chelsea on a
three-year deal.
Arsenal moved into pole position to sign the Brazil international, whose
Chelsea deal expires later this month, by offering a three-year contract
earlier this week, and are on the verge of beating off competition from
Barcelona and Inter Miami.
Along with the length of the deal, joining Mikel Arteta's rejuvenated side
and the chance to work with fellow Brazilian Edu are the reasons Arsenal are
favourites to secure Willian's signature.
Despite wanting Willian, who turns 32 on Sunday, to extend his stay at
Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have refused to offer more than a further two years
- and the chances of him being a Chelsea player when the new season begins
in five weeks look remote.
Frank Lampard has admitted his side need to improve defensively, but that
Chelsea would need to sell before they can buy, having already spent big in
the attacking areas by bringing in Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Willian made 47 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions and finished the
season in fine form, with four Premier League goals after the restart taking
his tally for the season to nine.
Analysis: 'Willian wants one last big
deal'
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol:
"Willian wants one big final contract - ideally a three-year deal to take
him to 35. Chelsea would like to keep him, though they're not going to offer
him three years.
"At the moment, it looks like Arsenal is his most likely destination but he
is a free agent and at his age, realistically, you're likely to go where
there is the most money and longest contract on offer.
"He's got a great injury record so his agent will be saying, 'Don't worry
about his fitness'."
Aubameyang set to sign new deal
Arsenal's pursuit of Willian comes as they attempt to seal a new deal for
captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is understood to be close to
extending his contract, which is currently set to expire in the summer of
2021.
Aubameyang, 31, scored 22 goals in the Premier League last season and netted
twice in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea in Saturday's FA Cup final.
Since his move to Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, he has
scored 54 goals in 85 Premier League games.
The news of the Arsenal's offers to Aubameyang and Willian comes after the
club made a statement revealing their plan to make 55 members of staff
redundant, including international recruitment specialist Francis Cagigao.
Arsenal, who will hold meetings with staff on Friday, said one of the key
reasons cutbacks are being made is to "maintain investment in the team".
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