Chelsea have spurned the advances of both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona after both clubs reportedly had bids turned down for Willian.
The serial Champions League contenders apparently had respective £35 million bids turned down by Chelsea with the Londoners seemingly keen to hold on to the winger in the wake of Eden Hazard’s defection to Real Madrid.
The Belgian’s departure leaves just three wingers in the first-team squad from last season – Pedro, Willian & Callum Hudson-Odoi – with the latter rupturing his achilles tendon in April – but the blow will be somewhat softened by the arrival of Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid willing to pay £35m for Willian. Chelsea not interested
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) June 17, 2019
Chelsea’s shortage on the flanks will not be helped by the fact that the club are struggling to get their two-window transfer ban overturned.
Chelsea were handed the ban by FIFA for breaches concerning the transfer of players who are under 18 and the club have lodged an appeal with the CAS to overturn the decision after their initial appeal was rejected by the FIFA Appeal Committee.
The club could have been handed a lifeline if the ban had been temporarily suspended until the outcome of the final appeal is reached, ala Barcelona in 2014, where the club were able to sign Luis Suarez after their own ban had been suspended, however, FIFA rejected their request to delay the sanction and therefore they will have to wait for a ruling on their CAS appeal before they can make any future signings.
