CHELSEA have pushed back bids from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid for star winger Willian. A fan favourite since joining the club for his work-rate and technical ability, the Brazilian is out of contract in 12 months’ time. And Sky Sports report on the La Liga pair deploying £35million bids to take advantage of Chelsea’s worries amid their FIFA transfer ban. That matter has increased the Blues’ determination to keep hold of their most consistent first-teamers, leading to them rejecting these offers. Sun Sport revealed last week that Chelsea are determined to keep hold of the Brazilian, offering a new two-year deal. Eden Hazard left Stamford Bridge last week in a mega transfer to Real Madrid, worth up to £150m. And outgoing boss Maurizio Sarri is said to want Jorginho and Emerson Palmieri at Juventus with him. Letting Willian go would be a different matter, however, as the fee on offer by Barca and Atleti won’t change the club’s financial picture too much. Betting company Betway have Barcelona down as 5/1 favourites to snap up the midfielder with the Madrid club just behind at 6/1, before 20/1 outsiders Paris Saint-Germain. With young players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic having a big role to play next season, it makes sense to keep the experienced Brazilian around. Should he feel now is the right time to leave, however, his short contract may tempt Chelsea to cash in. Barcelona are reportedly moving on flop signing Malcom in the summer and could sell Philippe Coutinho. While Atletico are set to lose Antoine Griezmann and have a winger who didn’t meet expectations of their own to replace, Gelson Martins. Chelsea on the brink of tying down Willian to new two-year deal as transfer ban looms
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