Chelsea winger Willian is once again on the radar of Spanish side Barcelona, who are reportedly one of two big clubs interested in signing him.
The Brazilian’s contract with the club expires in the summer of 2020, and clubs outside England can begin negotiations with him in the January transfer window.
Mirror Football have reported that the Chelsea winger has attracted interest from Barcelona and Juventus, who could sign him on a pre-contract deal in the winter transfer window.
The 31-year-old joined Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013 and has gone on to become a key player for his side. He has won the Premier League twice, and the FA Cup and Europa League once in his six-year spell with the club so far.
Willian has made over 300 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 55 times and making 56 assists for the club. The Brazilian is also still a key player for the national team, having been a part of the Copa America-winning squad earlier this year.
Do Barcelona actually need Willian?
There were reports a year or so ago about Barcelona’s interest in Willian, and it was baffling then and even more baffling now. Willian is a solid player, who is tricky and quick out wide on the wings, and can score every now and then.
But, he isn’t quite at the level of playing for Barcelona, especially with the likes of Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele, and Antoine Griezmann in the squad. The Catalans also have a young teenager by the name of Ansu Fati, who has been the name on many fans’ lips after his impressive showings despite his tender age.
If Willian does sign for Barcelona, he will possibly act as a backup for both Messi and Griezmann. But, Barcelona should instead afford opportunities to the likes of Fati or another young winger, Carles Pérez, rather than a player who is set to turn 32 next August.
The prospect of signing a player like Willian on a free transfer could perhaps be the reason why the Catalans are interested in him, but Barcelona are not a lower-division side, who don’t have the financial power to sign top-class players.
They need to freshen up the squad and add a few young players, and perhaps nurture someone to take over from Messi in the Barcelona side, and Willian isn’t it.
