“I want to stay at Chelsea as long as possible” – Chelsea forward reveals he was never close to joining Barcelona this summer

Chelsea winger Willian has revealed his future was never away from Stamford Bridge this summer despite reports indicating the player was on the verge of signing for another club.

The Brazil star was reportedly close to leaving Chelsea this summer with several clubs registering their interest in him. Among the suitors were Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid who were all mentioned at different times during the summer.

Before the World Cup, Jose Mourinho’s Man United were rumoured to be ready for a swap deal involving Willian, and France international Anthony Martial. The deal went off the radar during the World Cup when Barcelona were said to have made bids for Willian, although all those bids were rejected by the Blues as per Sky Sports.

Then those reports that linked him to Real Madrid also surfaced but Willian remained rooted at the club and did not move. He confirms now that he never intended to leave the club and has his focus on scoring more goals in the seasons to come.

“My mind was always like that, always when I arrive here my plan was to stay here as long as possible and now I am here five years I hope stay five more! I know I have two years of contract left but I hope to stay more years in the Premier League.

I am very happy to be here five years. I have won titles and played a lot of games with a lot of happy moments, and a few sad moments as well but that is part of football, but these five years have been very good for me and I am proud to be a Chelsea player.”

Willian, Chelsea FC

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