Arsenal have reportedly been offered Chelsea Brazilian winger Willian as they look to replace wantaway striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Willian is due to become a free agent this summer, and has been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Inter Milan having refused the offer of a new two-year deal from Chelsea.
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Arsenal look set to lose Aubameyang this summer, with no agreement having been reached over a new deal as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract at the Emirates.
Aubameyang is understood to want an upgrade to his £200,000-a-week wages – which could prove difficult for the Gunners due to the financial implications of the coronavirus crisis – and it makes sense for the club to cash in rather than lose him for nothing.
Willian could prove a cut-price replacement for the Gabon international, with the 31-year-old winger looking for a three-year deal matching his current £120,000-per-week wages.
And according to The Sun, he is being offered to Arsenal by his agent Kia Joorabchian, who has become increasingly influential at the Emirates over the past year.
Joorabchian is also the agent for the Gunners’ technical director Edu – and negotiated the signings of David Luiz and the on-loan Cedric Soares.
Willian had been in talks over a move to Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp needing back-up for his attack ahead of next season.
But Willian is keen to stay in London, where he has lived since 2013 – and that could give Arsenal a crucial advantage in transfer talks.
He would bring a huge amount of experience, having helped Chelsea to two Premier League titles, the Europa League, an FA Cup and a League Cup.
Arteta could certainly do with a player of Willian’s pedigree as he looks to turn his Arsenal side back into genuine contenders.
But it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be willing to sanction a three-year contract for a player who turns 32 in August.
