Barca ‘bid €56m for Willian’

Barcelona have reportedly had a €56.4m bid for Chelsea and Brazil attacker Willian rejected.

According to the Daily Mail, Barca have identified Willian as ‘the playmaker who can add an extra dimension’ to a a squad that ‘still lacks greater quality in depth and attacking flair’.

The 29-year-old would also link up with his Brazil teammate Philippe Coutinho, but while his representatives ‘have been in Barcelona’, the newspaper warns Chelsea ‘have so far shown no willingness to sell’.

However, that could change if a better offer comes in, with the Blues keen on ‘reducing the age of their squad’, although Manchester United are ‘long-time admirers’ and also ‘waiting in the wings’.

That story was analysed by Mundo Deportivo, which claims Willian has emerged as ‘a good opportunity in the market for Barca after the Antoine Griezmann fiasco’.

The publication explains the former Shakhtar Donetsk star fits the bill of ‘a versatile forward, who can play out wide and behind the strikers, with goals and the ability to beat his man’.

Furthermore, the Catalans would have informed MD that ‘they have been in contact with the player’s camp for two weeks’, with his representative Kia Joorabchian also Coutinho’s advisor.

Antonio Conte has tended to use Willian as an impact player, although he nonetheless scored 13 goals, assisted 12 and starred against the Blaugrana in the Champions League last season.

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