Corinthians are negotiating with Arsenal to try and thrash out a deal for Willian – but he’s looking for a Premier League team to sign him.
That’s according to Goal, who claim that Corinthians are really pushing to sign the Brazilian in the coming days.
However, Corinthians are in financial difficulties and can’t immediately pay the €8million-a-year salary – around £130,000-a-week.
Corinthians are therefore trying to convince Arsenal to pay a portion of Willian’s wages to help facilitate a move.
They know Arsenal are desperate to get rid of Willian, but would also be open to a loan deal if Arsenal will consider such a move.
The problem for Corinthians is that Willian isn’t all-in on a move back to Brazil, and he actually wants to find a Premier League club to join.
Sky Sports reported in May that Willian wanted a move back to Chelsea, just a year after leaving them for Arsenal in the first place.
The 33-year-old was dreadful in his first Arsenal season, and a move to Chelsea surely won’t be on the cards any time soon.
In fact, it’s hard to imagine any Premier League club taking him in.
With those big wages, no resale value, poor performances and advancing years, who on earth in the Premier League would want Willian right now?
Corinthians hope that the emotional pull of returning to the club will help; the winger spent nine years in their ranks as a kid and then as a first-team player before heading to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2007.
Arsenal will just want his wages off the books, but a deal with Corinthians won’t completely free them up, given the portion Edu must agree to with his own former club.
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