Sources: Arsenal submit offer & huge signing-on fee to star who's dazzled in restart
Transfers

Sources: Arsenal submit offer & huge signing-on fee to star who's dazzled in restart

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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Arsenal are close to signing Chelsea star Willian after offering a lucrative contract and multi-million signing-on fee to him.

The Gunners have leapfrogged former favourites Tottenham in the race for the attacking midfielder and hope to seal a deal in the coming days.

An Arsenal source has told Football Insider the club have made significant moves in recent days to take advantage of Willian's contract stalemate.

His agent Kia Joorabchian has held extensive discussions with Arsenal technical director Edu and an agreement is close.

The north Londoners are working to sign him as a free agent after he rejected an improved contract offer from Chelsea.

Frank Lampard's side are still only willing to hand the Brazilian, who turns 32 this month, a two-year deal.

Arsenal are looking to beat that with a substantial signing-on fee as well as a lucrative contract that would improve his current terms.

Mikel Arteta is convinced the in-form star would be a value signing despite his age and contract demands.

Willian will be available on a free transfer at the end of this season, which could come on Saturday should Bayern Munich eliminate Chelsea from the Champions League.

He has been in dazzling form since the Premier League restart, scoring five goals and providing three assists.

Willian has admitted talks with Chelsea over an extension have stalled as they have offered a two-year deal rather than the three-year contract he is seeking.

In other Chelsea news, it can be REVEALED that they are being blown out of the water by Man United over 23-year-old mega-money deal.

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