Prem rival tipped to make surprise bid as Arsenal decide on first Jan sale
Willian could be the first player to leave Arsenal in January, and one Premier League rival is interested in him, according to a report.
The Brazilian winger moved to the Emirates Stadium as a free agent in the summer after a successful spell with Chelsea. However, he has struggled to show his best form so far.
Willian is yet to score for his new club, despite making 15 appearances. He has, however, provided three assists.
Already, there are suggestions that Arsenal may regret the deal they agreed with Willian in the summer. The 32-year-old signed a lucrative, three-year contract.
But with the Gunners enduring one of their most turbulent ever seasons, they could be tempted to offload their recent recruit as soon as the transfer window opens in January.
Reports recently emerged suggesting that Real Betis could swoop for Willian. Arsenal could listen to offers in the region of €15m.
Now, an update from Todofichajes claims that Everton are also interested in the player. Carlo Ancelotti is a long-term admirer and now could have a “unique opportunity” to sign him.
The report also backs up the idea that Arsenal could sell for €15m, although it is not yet clear if they would consider doing so to another Premier League team.
Edu vows to give Willian time
Contrary to those reports, Arsenal technical director Edu has urged patience with Willian.
The director recently said: “Listen, everybody knows Willian. If people say that he’s not a good footballer then maybe they don’t know football because he has always performed at the top, top level. Then he moved.
“For me, Willian is a question of time to be performing how we know he can.
“What do you expect? Do you expect it straight away? Boom! Willian can be the best one? But he needs a little bit of time, it’s strange as well to say that but you need time to know the players who you are going to play with.
“Sometimes you receive the ball in positions, sometimes in other positions, Mikel [Arteta] wants to play forwards, the other one wants to play to the side, there’s a little bit of adaptation.
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“Players need time to understand how to train, how to work with the people, to understand a lot of things and I told him that I know that and I hope that people from outside understand that as well.
“That’s happening with Willian.
“Training, he’s training properly. His behaviour? Top, as always. Training? Fantastic. For me, it’s just a question of timing.”
READ MORE: Edu plays down talk of Arsenal rift as rumours fly about lack of trust in Arteta