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Gossip: Chelsea 'consider £65m Barca bid for Willian amid Man Utd interest', key defender 'could be sacrificed for Maguire'

Wheels in motion: is the next big summer transfer edging closer?
Wheels in motion: is the next big summer transfer edging closer?

Willian or Will.i.am? It’s always been an easy choice. You’d pick the Chelsea playmaker every time, based on his superior set-piece skills, his ability to vibe without wearing a silly hat and the fact he has never felt the need to put full stops in the middle of his name to show off.

But you can’t choose Willian forever. Or at least, Chelsea can’t. After five years of sterling service of Stamford Bridge, during which there has been a lingering sense he isn’t quite as appreciated as he should be, the Brazilian wants out – and the Blues are deciding what to do about it.

The Mail reports that owner Roman Abramovich and his right-hand woman Marina Granovskia are due to hold a meeting this week to “consider” a £65m offer from Barcelona for the 29-year-old midfielder.

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In an ideal world, Chelsea would simply reject the bid, especially amid uncertainty over the future their other main attacking threat Eden Hazard.

But from the moment he emojied out the face of ex-boss Antonio Conte in an FA Cup final photo in May, Willian has made it clear he is keen on a new challenge. There is also the problem of interest from Manchester United, a club Abramovich would be loath to sell to.

Therefore, the Blues may conclude that £65m from Barca is a deal worth taking. However, they won’t be able to get Will.i.am to replace Willian. It doesn’t work like that.

Return on the cards? Andre Schurrle could be heading back to west London
Return on the cards? Andre Schurrle could be heading back to west London

Fulham target Andre Schurrle

Andre Schurrle signed for Chelsea at exactly the same time as Willian – summer 2013 – but the German didn’t last quite as long. He could, however, be coming back to west London.

Three and a half years after leaving the Bridge, the 27-year-old has been made available for transfer by Borussia Dortmund and is, according to the Mail, wanted by Fulham.

The Cottagers have reportedly “enquired” about doing a deal for the 2014 World Cup winner, who is also on the radar of Crystal Palace, Everton and Lazio.

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo is the man most likely to be sold to make way for Harry Maguire at Old Trafford, says the Mirror. Leicester centre-back Maguire is allegedly set to be the subject of a £65m bid from the Red Devils, with Argentine stopper Rojo “the likely fall-guy”.


The Express reveals that United manager Jose Mourinho is set to meet transfer guru Ed Woodward “later this month” to discuss the club’s transfer targets. Which isn’t the greatest revelation really, given that the transfer window closes in about two weeks.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace and Fulham have joined the race to sign Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, although the 22-year-old would prefer to join Tottenham (Mirror), Liverpool are set to “hold talks” with Turkish club Besiktas about signing their Croatian defender Domagoj Vida (Star) and Everton manager Marco Silva has refused to discuss the potential signing of Watford forward Richarlison out of “respect” for the Hornets (Liverpool Echo). It’s too late to be nice now Marco, they’re never going to be friends with you.