Willian is now at risk of becoming a ‘prisoner’ at Arsenal having failed to attract significant interest in the summer transfer window, according to TuttoMercatoWEB.
Arsenal have made the Brazilian available for a move away from the Emirates Stadium after a sub-par debut season in north London. He could only offer Mikel Arteta’s side one goal and five assists in 37 appearances, following a free transfer from Chelsea last summer.
Willian was a key aspect of Arteta’s plans over his first few months at Arsenal, but saw his importance wane as the campaign progressed. Yet his lucrative salary could trap the winger into staying in red, as clubs baulk at matching his eyewatering wage.
TuttoMercatoWEB note Willian earns €7.5m-a-year (£125k-p/w) at Arsenal, which is proving to be a big obstacle blocking his exit. Arteta and the midfielder will likely have to hope he can rediscover the form shown at Chelsea in years past, instead.
The 70-cap international offered the Blues nine goals in 36 Premier League appearances in 2019/20. It was his most lethal campaign since moving to England in 2013, and third-most productive after nine and eight assists.
Willian had looked set for a swift farewell from Arsenal earlier in the summer amid interest from Inter Miami. But The Sun reported earlier this month the MLS franchise reneged on the move as he demanded a £167k-p/w contract.
He still remains keen on quitting the Gunners, though. Fabrizio Romano believes Willian is actively looking for a new club just 12-months into a three-year deal. However, his demands are clearly proving too big an obstacle for some to overcome.
Willian making himself a prisoner at Arsenal
While TuttoMercatoWEB note Willian is at risk of becoming a prisoner at Arsenal, he has the keys to his exit. The Gunners have swung the door open for the Brazilian to leave, yet his financial demands are blocking the path.
But Willian can remove that hurdle by accepting lesser terms, and it is likely to be his only route out. Arsenal are also surely keen to get rid, having made the short-sighted decision to hand him a lucrative long-term contract.
A deal that is now trapping Willian at the Emirates Stadium as suitors baulk at his demands.
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