Willian has revealed contract talks with Chelsea have come to a standstill, leaving the player free to talk to interested parties Tottenham and Arsenal.
The Brazil international’s current contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire in June, and his request for a three-year deal has been shut down by the club.
Willian has been a loyal servant since signing from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013, but as the Brazilian approaches the age of 32, and with plenty of competition in his position, he’s reassessing his options.
The attacker has previously stated his desire to remain in London, opening the door to a transfer to the Gunners or Spurs – with the latter offering him an opportunity to be reunited with former boss Jose Mourinho. He told Fox Sports: ‘Everyone knows that my contract ends now in a few months, so the renewal is really a difficult thing to happen.
‘I think it will be very difficult for me to renew because Chelsea offered me two years, I asked for three and it ended there, we don’t talk anymore, we didn’t negotiate anymore.
‘Three years…Chelsea said it would be impossible, so for now there’s this difficulty, but nothing is impossible.
‘We don’t know what can happen, suddenly we could make a deal and get it right. But what I can say today is that my contract is going over and I will be free to negotiate with any team.’ Manager Frank Lampard could be looking to fill his player’s vacancy with Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jadon Sancho.
Chelsea are in the running for the 20-year-old ace’s signature, alongside Manchester United and Liverpool, and are reportedly prepared to meet his £120 million asking price.