Arsenal winger Willian is reportedly set to leave the club on a free transfer… just 12 months on from signing a three-year contract with the club.
Willian was a prominent figure at Stamford Bridge during an extended period of Chelsea success, but when his contract came up for renewal in the summer of 2020, he was unable to agree an extension with the club.
As a result, he departed, signing for Arsenal on a three-year contract. A report published by talkSPORT at the time suggested that 32-year-old Willian would bank £220K-a-week [a total of £34M gross].
A year on, with Willian having endured a truly dreadful debut campaign at the Emirates, Sky Sports report that Arsenal are now in talks to ‘sell’ him to Brazilian outfit Corinthians – for free.
MORE: Liverpool star Mohamed Salah not allowed to play for Egypt due to UK travel rules
BenchWarmers’ view
There’s a reason that Chelsea and Willian were not able to reach an agreement, and on the evidence of last season, it’s probably because they knew he was past his best.
Arsenal didn’t think twice to offer him a lucrative salary and a three-year deal, which is a perfect example as to how the club’s poor decision making, from the top down, has left them in a pickle.
Getting rid of Willian will be a step in the right direction, but the club still have a considerable amount of deadwood which needs flogging – Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, to name names…