Sources: Fulham ‘worried’ as Willian closes in on surprise Saudi move
There are still no guarantees over Willian’s Fulham future after an approach from the Saudi Pro League, sources have told Football Insider.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that club chiefs are “worried” about the 35-year-old potentially leaving before next month’s deadline.
An exit would come as a surprise, considering Willian only penned his new one-year contract at Craven Cottage last month.
However, he has reportedly agreed terms with Saudi club Al-Shabab and communicated his desire to leave Fulham.
Despite the interest from the Middle East, Willian started in the season-opening win over Everton on Saturday (12 August).
It is believed Marco Silva is hopeful the veteran winger will choose to honour his contract at Craven Cottage.
Of course, Al-Shabab would need to have a bid accepted for Willian before he is able to make the move to the Saudi Pro League.
Alternatively, they could wait until January and agree a pre-contract with the player for his arrival next summer.
Willian turned out 30 times across all competitions last season, scoring five and assisting six as Fulham consolidated their Premier League status with a 10th-place finish.
The former Brazil international has now turned out 287 times in the English top flight, notching 43 goals and 50 assists.
He initially walked away from Fulham at the end of his one-year deal in June, before rejecting an approach from Nottingham Forest to return to the club.
Another Cottagers star in a similar position is Aleksandar Mitrovic, who reportedly refused to play for the club ever again after an offer from Al-Hilal was rejected.
He has since returned to Premier League action, and Football Insider revealed on Monday (14 August) that Fulham are “confident” of keeping the 28-year-old past next month’s deadline.
In other news, England international ready to quit London club after major development.