EPL: Willian close to joining Chelsea’s rival

Former Chelsea winger Willian is close to joining the club’s West London rival, Fulham.

Willian, who currently plays for Corinthians, ended an unhappy 12-month stint at Arsenal by terminating his contract with the Gunners.

The 34-year-old spent seven trophy-laden years with Chelsea, before moving to Arsenal on a free transfer two years ago.

According to El Globo, with Corinthians having been knocked out of the Copa Libertadores by Flamengo today, Willian is now on the verge of accepting an offer from Fulham and will join the newly promoted Premier League club.

The Brazilian is set to meet the club’s board on Thursday and is unlikely to feature in Saturday’s derby against Palmeiras.

Speaking on a report linking Willian with a move to Fulham, Corinthians’ club president Duilio Monteiro Alves said after the club’s elimination Copa Libertadores on Wednesday, “I don’t want to talk about this subject so as not to omit anything, we scheduled a conversation after today’s game, with the elimination.

“Tomorrow morning, we are going to have a talk. If something really changes, he has a contract until the end of next year, but we will leave that to tomorrow, we have just come out of elimination.

“I don’t want to hide anything, omit anything. Let’s wait for tomorrow.”