The tranfer rumour linking Liverpool with a move for free agent and former Chelsea man Willian has been quickly denied by proper sources.
It’s not the worst link we’ve seen in recent weeks but this move isn’t really one Liverpool would make these days. We could have seen something like this materialize under Brendon Rodgers or Roy Hodgson, but Jurgen Klopp is a different beast and so is our recruitment.
On the face of things, Willian would do a job for the Reds and might not be the worst transfer ever. He can play in one of the forward areas and brings more experience to the squad, while being available for nothing.
talkSPORT wrote that the club are about to enter ‘shock negotiations’ with the Brazilian, who has served Chelsea with distinction since arriving in 2013 as he’s played 226 times in the Premier League.
Willian of Chelsea is not one of the players being considered by #LFC at this moment in time
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) April 23, 2020
But Echo writer Ian Doyle has taken to Twitter to rubbish those reports, and he simply said that Willian was not being considered as a transfer target by Liverpool.
That makes a lot more sense.
With Takumi Minamino, Xherdan Shaqiri, Harvey Elliott and Harry Wilson still in the first team squad, there are plenty of options available to Klopp should he decide that he wants a backup for Mohamed Salah.
Even if there are some departures, and Shaqiri looks like he might be out of the door, Liverpool have got enough cover. They don’t need to bring in a 32-year-old on big money and a length contract.
Remember, he’s not leaving because Chelsea don’t want him. He’s leaving because Willian wanted a three-year deal and the Blues didn’t want to hand him a deal that long.
Signing the veteran would go against much of what Micheal Edwards and the team have been working towards over the last five years. This is good news.