MANCHESTER UNITED will launch a £60million bid to sign Willian from Chelsea according to reports.
MANCHESTER UNITED will launch a £60million bid to sign Willian from Chelsea according to reports.
Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with a reunion with the Brazil international, currently at the World Cup in Russia.
The pair worked together at Chelsea with Mourinho the man in charge when Willian turned down Liverpool and Tottenham to move to Stamford Bridge from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 and work with the Portuguese boss.
The Daily Mail say that Mourinho is willing to sanction £60m to sign Willian despite the winger turning 30 in August.
Willian is thought to be at odds with current Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, a rift he hinted at with a post to his Instagram story after their FA Cup success last month in which he covered up the Italian boss, and only him, with trophy emojis in their squad photo.
But the South American wide-man started only 20 of their 38 Premier League games last term but scored six top-flight goals and laid on a further seven assists.
Willian, who scored double figures in all competitions for the third straight campaign, reportedly attracted enquiries from United back in January although were knocked back.
The Chelsea attacker is under contract in London until 2020 and recently hinted that he would be interested in an Old Trafford switch as he hailed compatriot Fred’s move to “one of the best teams in the world”.
He added of the midfielder's move to Chelsea's top-flight rivals: “He can improve [them] a lot. I am happy for him.”
Willian was still named Chelsea’s Players’ Player of the Year last season as he continued to produce the goods despite enduring spells on the bench.
The report does not mention whether Conte’s uncertain future could affect Willian, however, with former Napoli man Maurizio Sarri expected to be named as the new Chelsea manager in a few weeks to come.
The Italian has long been touted as compatriot Conte’s successor with the club having failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, finishing fifth.
That, and reported rifts with the first-team squad despite winning the FA Cup, mean it is almost impossible to see Conte in charge come the start of the new Premier League season.
Indeed, some recent reports suggest Sarri could be appointed this week with club legend Gianfranco Zola to be named his No 2.
Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with a reunion with the Brazil international, currently at the World Cup in Russia.
The pair worked together at Chelsea with Mourinho the man in charge when Willian turned down Liverpool and Tottenham to move to Stamford Bridge from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 and work with the Portuguese boss.
The Daily Mail say that Mourinho is willing to sanction £60m to sign Willian despite the winger turning 30 in August.
Willian is thought to be at odds with current Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, a rift he hinted at with a post to his Instagram story after their FA Cup success last month in which he covered up the Italian boss, and only him, with trophy emojis in their squad photo.
But the South American wide-man started only 20 of their 38 Premier League games last term but scored six top-flight goals and laid on a further seven assists.
Willian, who scored double figures in all competitions for the third straight campaign, reportedly attracted enquiries from United back in January although were knocked back.
The Chelsea attacker is under contract in London until 2020 and recently hinted that he would be interested in an Old Trafford switch as he hailed compatriot Fred’s move to “one of the best teams in the world”.
He added of the midfielder's move to Chelsea's top-flight rivals: “He can improve [them] a lot. I am happy for him.”
Willian was still named Chelsea’s Players’ Player of the Year last season as he continued to produce the goods despite enduring spells on the bench.
The report does not mention whether Conte’s uncertain future could affect Willian, however, with former Napoli man Maurizio Sarri expected to be named as the new Chelsea manager in a few weeks to come.
The Italian has long been touted as compatriot Conte’s successor with the club having failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, finishing fifth.
That, and reported rifts with the first-team squad despite winning the FA Cup, mean it is almost impossible to see Conte in charge come the start of the new Premier League season.
Indeed, some recent reports suggest Sarri could be appointed this week with club legend Gianfranco Zola to be named his No 2.
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