Thursday, 15th November, 2012
Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu has told Chelsea that Willian is worth more than they paid for his countryman Oscar and stressed only €35M will be sufficient to sign the talented attacking midfielder.
The Blues have been keen on Willian for some time and had a bid rejected for the 24-year-old in the summer, with Lucescu accusing the Champions League holders of wanting to sign the player at "Eastern European prices".
Interest in Willian has also come from Tottenham Hotspur, who now boast former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas in the dugout, and the Brazilian has admitted that if he has to choose between Spurs and the Blues in future, it will be a tough decision. Serie A giants Inter have been linked with a bid too, further complicating matters.
This season Willian’s stock has only risen, with a series of fine displays for Shakhtar Donetsk, including scoring two goals against Chelsea as the Ukrainian side were beaten 3-2 at Stamford Bridge recently.
Lucescu’s men appear more determined than ever to keep hold of Willian, though the experienced Romanian manager admits there is an amount which could see the schemer head to England.
It will mean Chelsea paying more than they did for Oscar though, if the Blues push ahead – but in Lucescu’s view, Willian is worth it.
"When Inter president Massimo Moratti asks me about Willian, I say that Shakhtar want to achieve something in Europe and will not sell our players", Lucescu told Italian daily Tuttosport.
relatedNewsStory"There is a sale clause and that is €35M", he continued.
"Chelsea paid €31M this summer for Oscar.
"The difference between Oscar and Willian? Willian is much more mature and has a lot of Champions League experience.
"The Blues wanted to buy him this summer for €20M, but we refused."
Willian is under contract at the Donbass Arena until 2014, meaning he will have just one year left to run on his current deal by next summer.
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