ARSENAL are interested in signing Chelsea winger Willian when his contract expires, according to reports.
The 31-year-old’s current Stamford Bridge deal is set to come to an end on June 30.
He has already insisted that should the season finish after that date, he will stay and see it out because of his “loyalty” to the West Londoners.
But talks over a proper extension appear to have hit an impasse.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal are one of a number of clubs looking to pounce on the situation.
Long-term admirers Barcelona may be Willian’s first-choice destination, with the Catalan giants having tried to sign him in each of the last two summers.
But they may be preoccupied by negotiations for primary target Neymar.
Willian’s compatriot is desperate to leave PSG and return to the Camp Nou, but the French champions have so far played hard ball.
The Parisians could also turn to the Chelsea man as a replacement for Neymar, should he be successful in securing his Barca return.
In addition to these two sides, Arsenal could face competition from North London adversaries Tottenham, whose boss Jose Mourinho brought Willian to Stamford Bridge back in 2013.
Former Gunner Paul Merson has questioned why the two-time Premier League winner has escaped criticism for running down his Blues contract.
He wrote for Sky Sports: “Willian is very fortunate. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a brilliant player and I still think he’s one of Chelsea’s best players, there’s no question about that whatsoever, but I think he’s been fortunate in terms of getting away with the contract situation this season.
“He’s got no stick off the fans whatsoever and you have only got to look at the Christian Eriksen situation at Tottenham to know he’s been a bit fortunate with that.”
