Arsenal legend believes Willian will snub the Gunners for Barcelona or Real Madrid

Arsenal legend Martin Keown does not fancy the Gunners to land the signature of Willian. The Brazil international’s contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the season and he has been fancied to head through the exit door as the west London side have refused to meet his demands for a three-year contract.


Willian has recently suggested that he would not mind joining a rival club in the Premier League but Keown does not believe the Gunners will land his signature on a free transfer. Instead, he has tipped him to join either Barcelona or Real Madrid ahead of next season, he told: “I don’t see him going to Arsenal, I think he’s aiming for Barcelona or Real Madrid. He’s an incredible talent. Chelsea will be weaker if he goes but Frank Lampard knows what he’s doing. I’m sure he wants to keep him.”

Willian has been a consistent performer for the Blues over the past six-and-a-half years and he has amassed 59 goals and 59 assists from 321 appearances. In the current campaign, he has bagged seven goals and six assists for Frank Lampard’s side and has shown that he can remain a valuable player despite the advancing age.
The Brazilian has been linked with both the Gunners and Spurs in recent weeks and the former have been touted as the favourites to land his signature due to the presence of close friend David Luiz at the Emirates. Still, a move to Tottenham can’t be ruled out, given they are under the management of Jose Mourinho, who shares a fond relationship with the winger.

Mourinho was responsible for recruiting Willian at Chelsea seven years ago and the 31-year-old has recently revealed that he continues to remain in contact with the Portuguese. Elsewhere, Barcelona seemed to have ended their interest, having failed to land his signature during the previous two summer transfer windows.