Football
Joao Castelo-Branco 4y

Willian prefers Chelsea stay to Barcelona move - sources

Willian would prefer to sign a new contract with Chelsea than join Barcelona, sources have told ESPN.

The Brazil international, 31, will become a free agent at the end of the season and can talk to clubs from outside England now with a view to joining them in the summer.

But sources have told ESPN there is no agreement in place with Barcelona. Willian's first choice is to remain in the Premier League with Chelsea because he is settled in England and so are his family.

As it stands, Chelsea are only willing to offer the winger a two-year but Willian is holding out for three years and believes his fitness and lack of injuries mean he can play for several more years at the top level.

ESPN has been told that four clubs have expressed an interest in Willian, who joined Chelsea in 2013 and has gone on to win two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his six-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge, but his preference would be a new contract with Chelsea if the two sides can agree terms.

In 19 Premier League starts for Chelsea this season, Willian has scored four goals and assisted four more as the club fight to qualify for the Champions League under Frank Lampard, a former teammate of the Brazilian.

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