Update, Aug. 6: Willian will be leaving Chelsea but looks set to remain in the English Premier League, with ESPN reporting on Thursday that the 32-year-old is signing with Arsenal. The move is expected to be officially announced later this month. The player had been negotiating a potential deal to stay with Chelsea, but evidently the sides couldn't agree on terms. Either way, a move to MLS for the Brazilian will have to wait.
Update, Aug. 3: A new report from The Guardian outlines that Willian has rejected a two-year deal from Chelsea, leaving the Brazilian winger set to leave on a free transfer. Arsenal reportedly are willing to offer the 31-year-old his desired three-year deal, with a decision coming after The Blues face Bayern Munich on Saturday in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg. While talks of a Premier League stay are heating up at Arsenal, speculation still surrounds the Inter Miami link.
Update, July 31: Inter Miami are the MLS team in the sweepstakes for Willian, according to a Friday report from Sky Sports saying the expansion side has made a "lucrative three and a half year offer" in an attempt to secure the Chelsea winger's services. Willian's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent days, with his contract set to expire next month, with reports suggesting negotiations on an extension with Chelsea are ongoing and Barcelona also emerging as a potential suitor.
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report
It’s shaping up to be a busy, and lucrative, summer for Brazilian winger Willian.
The 31-year-old, whose current contract with Chelsea expires next month, reportedly has an opportunity to remain at Stamford Bridge. But he has plenty of other options, according to his agent, including the opportunity for a move stateside
Kia Joorabchian told British radio station Talksport on Tuesday that Willian has “two concrete offers from Premier League clubs on the table,” as well as “an MLS offer on the table, which is a very big offer.”
Joorabchian, who said there are also two other offers from European clubs, declined to identify the MLS club. Willian has previously been linked with a move to Inter Miami CF, which has an open Designated Player spot and the ambition to sign a difference-making attacking player.
Earlier this month Willian told ESPN Brasil’s Futebol no Mundo he’d prefer to play in MLS after his European career is done.
“I have plans to stay in Europe and try to play here maybe for three or four more seasons," Willian said. "I believe I can still perform on a high level. After that, when I will be 35, 36 years old, I intend to go to the United States and play there. It is a goal that I have.”
Looking for a timeline for Willian’s decision? Joorabchian said that will come at the conclusion of the season. Chelsea meet Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
