The London side are looking to revamp their midfield and the Shakhtar meia, called up to the Brazil squad for their most recent matches, fits the bill for Villas-Boas side.
Shakhtar have admitted that the player would like to move on and are willing to discuss a deal, but with the player’s buy-out fee set €35 million, the club would like something approaching that mark.
OFFICIAL RESPONSE
– Is Shakhtar prepared to sell Willian to Chelsea?
– The philosophy of our club is simple: If a big club offers serious money for our player, we will always consider its proposal. Of course, if a player himself wants to leave. In our case, Willian expressed his desire to test himself in the Premier League.
– What can you tell about the alleged transfer fee?
– Willian’s contract involves a minimum release clause of 35 million Euros. But we met Willian halfway and are ready to let him go for 30 million. It should be said that for the aforementioned sum of money it will be difficult for us now to sign a player of Willian’s level. If the minimum release clause indicated in the contract had been 50 million Euros, then we would demand for the player no less than 40 million. It is important to understand that today we are talking about Chelsea’s desire to buy Willian, but not Shakhtar’s desire to sell him. We also need this player.
– What is your response to Chelsea’s 20 million bid for Willian?
– When Willian was 19 years old we paid for him almost the same amount of money. What is the point of such a deal then?
