Arsenal star Willian, who joined the club only this past summer, has emerged as a summer transfer target for La Liga outfit Real Betis.
According to a report from El Gol Digital, La Liga outfit Real Betis could be plotting a raid on Premier League heavyweights Arsenal in the summer, for the signing of veteran star Willian.
The 32-year-old joined the Gunners only this past summer, signing on a free transfer from London rivals Chelsea after his contract expired at the end of the 2019/20 season. Willian made a sensational start to life at Arsenal, putting in a brilliant performance on his debut against Fulham.
However, the Brazilian international hasn’t been able to maintain that level ever since and, as a result, has struggled to nail down a place in Mikel Arteta’s side. So far this term, Willian has featured 14 times across all competitions for Arsenal but is yet to open his goalscoring account for the north London giants, although, he does have three assists to his name.
Questions have been raised over Arsenal signing the ageing winger on a three-year deal worth £220,000-a-week in wages, given how uninfluential he has been in the early parts of the campaign. Amidst all this, the 32-year-old seems to have found a new admirer in the form of Real Betis.
The La Liga outfit, managed by former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, will soon need to enter the market for a new winger as captain Joaquin in 39 years old and could be hanging up his boots shortly.
The Spaniard, who recently became just the sixth player to reach 600 La Liga appearances, has started nine of Betis’ 11 league games this season, indicating his importance to the side. However, the club are aware that he is in the final phase of his career and are on the lookout for an experienced wide player, who could fill in the void.
However, a deal to sign Willian might not be that straightforward, considering his massive wages, which the La Liga club would certainly find difficult to meet and his three-year deal would mean that Arsenal would command a sizeable fee for the winger.
Arsenal manager Arteta seems to hold Willian in high esteem, despite his struggles on the pitch, so convincing him to part ways with the 32-year-old may prove difficult. But, with the Gunners scouting Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey recently, it might lead to the possibility of them being open to a sale come summer.
