Willian should be unveiled as a Chelsea player next week.
The Brazil international is one of several players set to leave Anzhi Makhachkala this summer, as the owner of the Russian club loses patience with his expensive project. Igor Denisov, Lassana Diarra, and Yuri Zhirkov have already left, with Samuel Eto’o also expected to follow.
And now Suleyman Kerimov has agreed a £30million deal with compatriot Roman Abramovich for Willian, who looked all set to join Tottenham Hotspur last week. The forward had even had a medical at the White Hart Lane club on Wednesday, but the following day the Blues entered the race with a fee and personal terms agreed within 24 hours.
Willian will undergo his medical with the Stamford Bridge club next week, when a work permit hearing is expected to clear his move to England. During his press conference on Friday, manager Jose Mourinho nodded when asked if the 25-year-old had chosen his side over Spurs.
“I have to answer your questions and try to be honest, but at the same time try to hide a few things,” said the Portuguese. “I’m happy with my squad, but every one of us managers, we say we are happy, but we are always unhappy. We always want something of more quality and we never close the door to the possibility of adding more quality.”
The prospect of UEFA Champions League football is thought to have been the key factor when Willian, who has two caps for his country, was deciding between the two London clubs. He will become the third major acquisition for Chelsea this summer, following the previous arrivals of German international Andre Schurrle and Holland midfielder Marco van Ginkel.
Mourinho would still love to sign England striker Wayne Rooney before the window slams shut on 2 September, and reports suggest he could even be willing to offer Spanish international playmaker Juan Mata in any possible transfer for the Manchester United star.
