Barcelona are growing confident of a deal for Chelsea forward Willian and expect he will fit into the club’s non-EU playing slots, say reports in the Spanish press.
El Mundo Deportivo say the Brazilian would occupy one of three non-EU spots in the squad without a sale being required despite Philippe Coutinho, Yerry Mina and Arthur Melo in the Camp Nou ranks.
There has been talk that central defender Mina may need to be sold this summer but the report claims Barca are confident that Coutinho’s application for a Portuguese passport (his wife’s nationality) should be finalised soon.
Real Madrid are also said to be working on a similar arrangement for Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, thus allowing the European champions to bolster their non-EU ranks.
Various reports suggest Barca will improve their initial €60m offer for Willian, who impressed for his nation at this summer’s World Cup.
