The Independent are reporting that Chelsea have had a bid rejected for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian.
Andre Villas-Boas has recently stated there is no interest from Chelsea in the Brazilian but did go on to say that he was a fan of the player.
Shakhtar Dontesk have claimed that Willian has a release clause in his contract of 35 million euros and Chelsea’s initial bid is thought to be around £16.7 million.
The Shakhtar Chief Executive Sergei Palkin claimed he rejected the bid but that Willian was not for sale.
Willian has in the past stated his admiration for the Premier League amidst rumours of a bid from Arsenal last summer. The Gunners also reportedly came well short of Shakhtar’s asking price.
Palkin stated, “In our case, Willian expressed desire to test himself in the Premier League.
“Willian’s contract has a release clause of 35 million euros, but we’ve met him halfway and will let him go for 30 million.”
Willian has scored just one goal in six appearances for Shakhtar in this season’s Champions League.
The reports of Chelsea’s interest in the attacking midfielder comes a week after they were said to be closing in on a deal for Lille’s wonderkid Eden Hazard. (Daily Mail)
It’s clear where Andre Villas-Boas is looking to strengthen but he did say after Chelsea’s weekend draw against Norwich that he was not interested in players who were cup-tied in the Champions League.
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