Shakhtar Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu has confirmed that former Chelsea and Tottenham target Willian has agreed to join Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for €35 million.
Willian, 24, has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time, but it appears that Russian side Anzhi have blown all competition out of the water with a huge offer for the player.
Lucescu revealed that he hoped to keep the player at the Donbass Arena, but with the player’s release clause having been met they are unable to resist a deal.
“This is his personal decision and we must respect that,” Lucescu told a Sport Express journalist after his side’s friendly fixture with CSKA Moscow. “Honestly, I tried to talk to him about the football. I think his decision is hasty and not right. Willian is like a son to me.
“Why did he not listen to me? Perhaps he had very strong pressure from his agent and friends who wanted to move at once. In the end, he could not resist.”
He is expected to sign a four-year deal at the Dagestan-based club on Friday, with Russian clubs not bound by the European transfer window.
Source: Sport Express
