Willian has accepted an offer to join Corinthians, but his move to the Brazilian side remains on hold whilst they discuss fees due to his mammoth wage at Arsenal, according to Goal.
The winger has given the go-ahead for his agent to seal his return to Corinthians, 14-years after leaving the club. But Timao have strict limits in place for player wages, with a cap of R$ 1million-a-month (£35k-p/w). He currently earns in excess of R$ 3.7m-a/m (£140k-p/w).
Corinthians believe there are two options on the table for Willian to leave Arsenal for the Neo Quimica Arena. Either the 32-year-old agrees to considerably reduce his salary, or the Gunners continue paying the remainder over their salary cap.
Willian, his agent, Kia Joorabchian, and Corinthians are working to convince Arsenal to take the latter of the two proposals. Sending the former Chelsea winger away from the Emirates Stadium a year after his arrival, but still paying most of his wages on a deal running to 2023.
The structure and value of his salary is the biggest hurdle between the 33-year-old and joining Sylvinho’s side. However, Timao must also finalise the transfer before Monday, as the Brazilian market closes sooner than in England (Tuesday).
Willian had wanted to remain in Europe than return to South America this summer, but has not received any offers. He now sees playing in Brazil in a positive light, and should leave north London at some stage. Globo also note Willian is aware of Corinthians’ offer and that Arsenal are willing to help him secure a move after he told Edu he wants to leave the club.
Should Arsenal accept Corinthians’ offer to offload Willian?
Arsenal would face paying Willian around £100k-p/w for the Brazilian to play for another club, should they accept Corinthians’ offer. A very disheartening sign of the scale of the Gunners’ error to sign the veteran forward to a lucrative contract.
Mikel Arteta and Technical Director Edu clearly had high hopes for what the former Chelsea star could bring to Arsenal. But they have rarely seen anywhere near enough to justify his transfer, and are now in this awkward situation.
Even if Arteta claimed Willian has ‘special qualities’, via football.london, that allow him to unlock games from tight spaces. Instead, he offered one goal and five assists in 25 Premier League appearances in north London and is now irritated there.
That’s according to UOL Esporte, who note Willian believes Arsenal failed to fulfil their promises when signed and could now join Corinthians. A club he made 17 appearances with before joining Shakhtar Donetsk in 2007.
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