Frank Lampard has urged Chelsea to find a solution to Willian’s contract situation, with Tottenham circling the Brazilian forward, reports Standard Sport.
The 31-year old is out of contract at the end of the season and he has yet to commit to a new contract, having come to an impasse in negotiations with the Blues.
Standard Sport reports that while Willian wants to remain in West London for the foreseeable future, he is demanding a deal that would tie him to the club for a minimum of two years, while he wants an increase on his £110,000-a-week wages.
Meanwhile, the report claims that Chelsea have only offered a one-year extension, and as such a number of clubs are now monitoring the winger’s situation, including Spurs, Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan.
Tottenham previously missed out on signing WIllian when he joined the Blues from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013, and Jose Mourinho now wants to bring him to the New White Hart Lane.
Mourinho had previously wanted to sign Willian for Manchester United, only for club chiefs to then refuse to sanction a move (Express Sport), while Willian has spoken in the past about how he would like to play Mourinho again (Metro Sport).
Lampard consider Willian to be a major player for the Blues, with only Kepa Arrizabalaga and Mason Mount having played more Premier League games than the Brazilian for Chelsea this season, and he is desperate to keep his experience in his squad.
Tottenham though, are monitoring the situation ahead of potentially signing the forward on a free in the summer.
Read Chelsea Verdict
Willian has been an experienced head in Lampard’s dressing room this season, and it isn’t difficult to see why the Chelsea boss wants to keep him around ahead of next season.
Lampard will continue to shape the Blues with his own vision in mind now that he has a transfer market available to him, and once again in the summer, but keeping senior mainstays around is a crucial way of maintaining a club’s identity, which also helping to introduce new players to this club in a natural and organic manner.
Should Spurs firm up their interest, Chelsea may need to move quickly to ensure that the Brazilian isn’t tempted to join the London club’s rivals, with Mourinho likely to be a big pull for the 31-year old.
