Barcelona Bid In Excess Of £55m For Chelsea Star
REUTERS/Juan Medina
Barcelona are intent on reinforcing their midfield, and in particular, the right side of midfield this summer, and have identified Chelsea‘s Willian to fulfill their desire.
After two failed bids rumoured to be in the region of £50m, the Catalan giants are now bidding over £55m for the winger, according to Sky Sports News.
The Brazilian performed admirably for the Blues last season, and was voted the players’ player of the season for his efforts.
However, it is said that his relationship with then manager Antonio Conte wasn’t the greatest, and the animosity was probably on display when Willian was left out of the starting line-up for the FA Cup final against Manchester United, which Chelsea won 1-0.
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Conte has since been replaced at Stamford Bridge by former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri, but it remains to be seen whether the new manager sees the pacy winger as capable enough to spearhead a Chelsea side desperate to fight for the Premier League crown this time around.
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As for Barcelona, the club appears to be infatuated with Willian since the 29-year-old put on an inspired display against the Spanish giants in the Champions League last season, albeit in defeat.
The Brazil international scored that day and won many plaudits from the opposition for his desire to run the channels on a regular basis.
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After making Philippe Coutinho their priority in the previous transfer window, Barcelona are now hoping that a deal can be worked out for Willian, which would sure up both sides of the midfield and give the Blaugrana much needed pace down the flanks.
Since joining Chelsea in 2013 from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, Willian has scored 44 goals in 236 appearances for the London club, and was one of the leading lights for the Brazilian team at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup.