Report: Arsenal still want ‘world-class’ £30m winger, but there’s stiff competition

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Reported Arsenal target Willian has received three contract offers including a lucrative deal from the United States, with the Gunners still keen on the Chelsea man’s services, according to Sky Sports.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are believed to be one of the sides interested in the Brazil international’s signature, with his Chelsea contract expiring next month.

Willian has plied his trade for the West Londoners since 2013, when he joined from Anzhi Makhachkala in a reported £30million move (BBC Sport).

The 31-year-old winger and attacking midfielder has made upwards of 330 appearances for Chelsea in which he has claimed 63 goals and 62 assists, according to Transfermarkt.

For a while, Willian’s days at Chelsea seemed numbered given a stalemate in contract talks, but Sky Sports has now reported that the Blues have offered him a new deal.

However, Barcelona are also said to have made the Selecao star a contract offer, fulfilling his request for a three-year deal.

The biggest proposal on the table is reported to be a “lucrative” three-and-a-half-year offer from Inter Miami, who are part-owned by former England captain David Beckham.

Arsenal themselves apparently remain keen on Willian – who reportedly won’t make a decision until after the FA Cup final – and could yet play a part in the race for his signature.

TBR View:

Willian is an incredibly talented player, fast, agile, hard-working and technically gifted, with a track record of pulling off exciting feints and tricks to the point that some pundits were questioning whether he, and not Eden Hazard, was Chelsea’s most skilful player of the two.

He was impressive after the resumption of English football, with BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks naming him in his Team of the Week on several occasions and deeming him “outstandingly consistent”, while Arsenal legend Paul Merson has described him as “world class”, “brilliant” and “outstanding”.

However, Arsenal have their work cut out now if they want Willian given the reported competition they’re up against – three contract offers, one from his current club, one from the most famous clubs in the world, and a big-money offer from the US.