Corinthians want Willian from Arsenal
According to a report by Sky Sports, Corinthians are ‘in talks’ with Arsenal over a potential transfer move for Willian. Any deal would be a free transfer and the Gunners are apparently willing to sanction a deal. Furthermore, all parties ‘are hopeful’ that the winger moves back to his native country this summer.
Willian is a product of the Corinthians youth academy. His move to Europe came in 2007 when he was off to Shakhtar Donetsk. After five and a half years, he made the switch to Anzhi Makhachkala. A move to Chelsea followed soon after, where he spent 7 years before transferring to Arsenal in 2020.
Arsenal don’t have a need for Willian right now
Willian was one of the brighter players at Chelsea. The Brazilian winger played 339 games for the Stamford Bridge outfit over seven seasons and was vital in increasing the club’s silverware tally during his time. His transfer to Arsenal last summer was always going to divide opinions between fans.
The then 32-year-old forward also came from Arsenal’s rivals, Chelsea. However, he never really got going under Mikel Arteta. He completed 90 minutes in a Premier League match just six times for the Gunners last season. Moreover, he hasn’t played a single minute in their last five league games.
He wasn’t even in the matchday squad for both of Arsenal’s losses in the league so far. This shows that the Spanish manager has plans for the Gunners that do not really include Willian. Moreover, the club is surprisingly well-stacked in the attacking department. They have multiple players who would restrict Willian’s game-time this season – if he stays at the club.
It’s better to let Willian go
£72million signing Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli are Arteta’s go-to options for the flanks. The trio has been trusted to play out wide so far this season. On top of that, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has played on the left-flank many times for the Gunners for them to accommodate Alexandre Lacazette as a striker.
Amidst this, it is very hard to see where Willian fits in their plan. The Brazilian winger, who has just 1 goal in 37 appearances for Arsenal, is also in the twilight of his career at the age of 33.
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Willian is in the final two years of his deal at The Emirates and since the Gunners signed him as a free agent, they won’t be making any net loss on transfer fees if they let him go to Corinthians for nothing. Getting his £100,000-a-week wages off the books would be a wise move from the club.
