Barcelona are reportedly set to launch a £30 million summer bid for Chelsea superstar Willian, who has been a long-term target for the La Liga giants.
The Sun have reported that Barcelona continue to harbour hopes of securing the services of Willian, having failed to do so in the last couple of transfer windows. This time around, the newly crowned La Liga champions are lining up a £30 million to land the Brazilian, who will enter the final year of his deal with Chelsea in the summer.
Willian might have been a player who has polarised opinions and divided fans over the six years he has been at Chelsea. But, it cannot be denied that the 30-year-old has been an important player for the Blues during his time at Stamford Bridge, even winning the club’s Player of the Year back in 2016.
This season, the Brazilian international has made some vital contributions as well, although a return of 8 goals and 14 assists in 53 appearances is quite modest. Chelsea though, have been eager to tie him down to a new deal, with his current deal set to run out in the summer of 2020. To make matters all the more concerning, Barcelona are lurking.
The Blaugrana have held an interest in Willian for a long time, having unsuccessfully tried to snap him up last summer as well. Barcelona even attempted to secure his services in the January transfer window, only to see Chelsea rebuff a player-plus-cash offer that included Malcom.
Malcom has not managed to settle in well in his maiden campaign at Camp Nou, for some reason or the other. Apart from Malcom, Ernesto Valverde has Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho as options for the wide attacking role.
While Dembele’s Barcelona stint has been plagued with injuries, Coutinho has struggled in his first full season with the club. And so, with Valverde reportedly seeking an immediate solution, interest in Willian has reportedly been renewed with a view to test Chelsea’s resolve in the summer.
Barcelona now seem to have stepped up their interest in the 30-year-old superstar, having prepared a £30 million bid for him. And while Chelsea are determined to keep hold of Willian, the fact that that he will have just one year left on his deal in the summer means they could be forced into cashing in on the Brazilian.
It now remains to be seen if Barcelona finally succeed in their long-standing pursuit of Willian, or if Chelsea manage to coax the Brazilian winger to stay, considering their potential inability to make moves in the summer if their transfer ban is upheld.
