Arsenal have confirmed the signing of the Brazil international, Willian, on a free transfer. The 32-year-old signs a three-year deal with the Gunners after his contract expired following Chelsea’s loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Willian spent seven years at Stamford Bridge and could have extended his deal with the Blues. However, Chelsea were not willing to offer him more than a two-year deal as opposed to the three years Willian wanted.
Both parties failed to reach a compromise, and that made Willian a free agent. A lot of clubs were interested in the former Shakhtar Donetsk star, but the chance to stay in London and Arsenal’s three year-deal offer convinced Willian to sign for the Gunners.
The deal has now been made official with Arsenal confirming the length of the contract on their website. The club’s manager, Mikel Arteta, revealed Arsenal signed Willian to give them options in the attacking area.
“I believe he’s a player that can really make a difference for us,” Mikel Arteta told Arsenal website.
“We have been monitoring him for the past few months, we had a clear intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions [and] he is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions.
Willian will reportedly earn £220,000 per week, and he will wear the number 12 jersey.
