Ex-Arsenal flop was shock ‘plan B’ for Man Utd, Chelsea before player reached contract ‘agreement’ | OneFootball

Fulham duo Andreas Pereira and Willian.

According to reports, Man Utd and Chelsea plotted a move for former Arsenal flop Willian before he extended his deal at Premier League rivals Fulham.

The Brazil international enjoyed a sensational spell at Chelsea between 2013 and 2020 as he made over 300 appearances for the London outfit. He lifted the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Willian left Chelsea to join Arsenal and this transfer was a disaster for all involved. Speaking last year, he admitted that he “wasn’t happy” at Arsenal.

“Things didn’t really go the way we’d all planned,” Willian admitted.

“I wasn’t happy there, and when you’re not happy in a place, it doesn’t matter how much you try – you’re not going to be able to deliver what people expect of you.

“We had a great project and believed that it would work out, but it didn’t, and so I chose to leave and do what was best for me.”

His time in England looked to be over when he joined Corinthians in 2021 but he secured himself a shock move to Fulham last summer ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Willian was one of last season’s surprise packages as he surpassed expectations at Craven Cottage. He grabbed five goals and five assists for Marco Silva’s side as they finished tenth in the Premier League.

The 34-year-old only penned a one-year deal last summer so he has been on the market in recent weeks.

Nottingham Forest were ‘confident’ of signing Willian ahead of Fulham last week, but he has since signed a new contract to commit his future to the London outfit.

Joao Castelo-Branco (a journalist for ESPN Brazil) has now revealed that Man Utd and Chelsea were ‘monitoring’ his situation but because he was only a ‘plan B’, they did not ‘make an offer’ for him.

After penning a new deal, Willian predicted that Fulham “can do even better this season” than they did in 2022/23.

“I’m completely happy,” Willian said via the club’s website.

“Happy to sign one more year with Fulham. Happy to continue the work that I did last season with all my teammates and the whole club. I think it’s a club that can do even better this season, so I’m happy to continue this amazing adventure.”

Fulham owner Tony Khan added : “I’m thrilled that Willian will return to Fulham for at least one more season.

“He was a very important addition last summer and was a significant contributor during one of the most successful Premier League campaigns our club has ever had.

“We’re all very excited that he’ll return to Craven Cottage as we aim for another successful season in the Premier League together.”