Fulham ‘not prepared to sell Willian’
Fulham are not prepared to sell Willian to Al Shabab after the winger reportedly agreed to join the Saudi Pro League side.
In possibly the most bizarre development in a summer of transfer sagas, the news that the Brazilian veteran wanted to explore the possibility of a ‘new challenge’ only eleven days after signing a new contract at Craven Cottage threatens to uproot Marco Silva’s plans on the eve of the Premier League season. But the Whites are not willing to allow the experienced winger to leave SW6 so soon after he committed his future to the Cottagers – and consider the matter moot as Willian’s Saudi suitors have yet to make an enquiry as to the former Chelsea and Arsenal wide man’s availability, never mind a bid.
Silva, who invested considerable time in ensuring that Fulham put together an acceptable to keep Willian at the club earlier this summer, still believes that the former Brazilian international can play a big part in Fulham’s 2023/24 campaign. The Riyadh-based club might have enticed Willian to consider their offer – but striking a deal with the Cottagers will be much more difficult.
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Is this the best bit of transfer business this summer? Fulham set to cash in on Willian just two weeks after signing him for free: report
Fulham could be set to make profit on Willian, who only re-signed for the club in the last few weeks
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Fulham could be about to receive a transfer fee for a player they signed for free less than three weeks ago, in what might just be the most bizarre/weirdest/best bit of transfer business this summer.
The Cottagers re-signed Willian on a one-year contract on July 17, with the club retaining the option of adding another year. The Brazilian spent last season at Fulham, but left following the expiry of his contract.
Nottingham Forest made him an offer, but Willian ultimately decided to return to Fulham. However, he could be on the move a lot sooner than expected, after receiving a proposal from Saudi Arabia.
According to The Athletic, Al-Shabab have offered Willian the chance to double his wages to over £200,000-a-week on a one-year contract, and are willing to pay a fee to bring him to the Middle East.
While the report suggests Fulham haven’t received an offer from Al-Shabab, the Premier League side will want a fee for the 34-year-old. Transfermarkt currently values Willian at £2.5m, considering his age and length of contract.
They could, therefore, make a healthy profit on an ageing player they managed to bring to the club for free just weeks ago. Willian might opt to stay at Fulham, however, as he’s clearly happy to stay in London – where he’s also played for Chelsea and Arsenal.
After signing for the club, Willian said: “I’m completely happy. Happy to sign one more year with Fulham. Happy to continue the work that I did last season with all my team-mates.”
Along with Willian, Fulham have also signed Calvin Bassey from Ajax and Raul Jimenez from Wolves this summer. Aleksandar Mitrovic looks destined to leave, though, with the Serbian striker set to force a move through amid heavy interest from Saudi Arabia as well.
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Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture’s websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.
