Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a shock swap deal worth £80 million with Chelsea, which will involve Anthony Martial and Willian.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Manchester United are stepping up their interest in Willian. Jose Mourinho is ready to part ways with Anthony Martial in the summer transfer window deal if Chelsea include Willian plus £40 million in a sensational swap deal.
Willian has endured a topsy turvy time since joining Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer of 2013. While the player has largely been a key player for the Blues, he has often also had to battle for his place as a regular in the first-team setup at Stamford Bridge.
The same was prevalent in the initial stages of the season, but he has since enjoyed a fine turnaround to embark on his most productive campaign for Chelsea, with 13 goals and 12 assists in 51 appearances. But with the upswing in form, Willian has also piqued the interest of several clubs, with Manchester United, in particular, hot in his pursuit.
The Red Devils have been tailing the 29-year-old ever since Jose Mourinho took charge at Old Trafford two summers ago. Over the last two years, Manchester United have made several attempts to swoop the player away from Chelsea, albeit unsuccessfully so. But, they are back on his trail, and for good reason.
Mourinho has been crying out for Manchester United to sign a naturally right-sided winger for his side ever since last summer. The arrival of Alexis Sanchez didn’t quite solve the issue either, with his attack instead becoming eerily left heavy.
Willian is, thus, a viable target for Manchester United, who are aiming to use Chelsea’s interest in one of their players to finally land the Brazilian winger. The Blues reportedly have their sights firmly set on Anthony Martial, who has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the arrival of Sanchez.
With regular first-team football hard to come by, the Frenchman’s future at Manchester United has been cast under a cloud, although recent reports have suggested that he could be set for a bigger role next season. Before that happens though, Chelsea are eager to take him away to Stamford Bridge instead.
However, Martial won’t come cheap, with Mourinho valuing him at £80 million. But, Manchester United are looking to sweeten the deal by reducing the figure to around £40 million, if Chelsea include Willian – who is valued around the same amount – in the deal.
Antonio Conte is unlikely to continue as the Chelsea manager beyond this season. And, reports have suggested that Roman Abramovich is ready to back the new manager with the big bucks. Additionally, he might be open to the aforementioned swap deal, and might conclude the business before a new manager is appointed.
For all intents and purposes, this looks like a deal that could happen. But, Willian has insisted that he is happy at Chelsea, meaning Manchester United could face an uphill task to persuade him to make the switch to Old Trafford. It now remains to be seen if they can land him in the summer, with Martial going in the opposite direction.
