Chelsea have this evening rejected a third bid from Barcelona for Brazilian wideman Willian worth £55 million (Sky Sports). The rejection comes a week after Chelsea rejected Barcelona’s second offer for the player worth an estimated £53 million.
Barcelona representatives have been in talks with Willian since May and may be looking to sign the Chelsea man to provide competition for Ousmane Dembele. The young Frenchman saw his first season in Spain blighted by injury and is yet to hit the ground running.
Despite being Chelsea’s player of the season in 2016/17, the Brazilian struggled for gametime under Antonio Conte in a 3-4-3 formation that didn’t suit him. New manager Maurizio Sarri may not wish to sell his sides number 22 as it is likely he will be utilizing two wide men in his favoured 4-3-3 system this season. Currently, the Italian only has Eden Hazard and Pedro as other senior options on the wing. The former has previously issued a come and get me plea to Real Madrid (Marca) and looks set to leave the club. It is therefore unlikely that Chelsea will let Willian leave the club this summer for less than their valuation.
It is not known at this time if Barcelona will return with a fourth bid for Willian.