Fulham are not prepared to sell Willian to Al Shabab after the winger reportedly agreed to join the Saudi Pro League side.
In possibly the most bizarre development in a summer of transfer sagas, the news that the Brazilian veteran wanted to explore the possibility of a ‘new challenge’ only eleven days after signing a new contract at Craven Cottage threatens to uproot Marco Silva’s plans on the eve of the Premier League season. But the Whites are not willing to allow the experienced winger to leave SW6 so soon after he committed his future to the Cottagers – and consider the matter moot as Willian’s Saudi suitors have yet to make an enquiry as to the former Chelsea and Arsenal wide man’s availability, never mind a bid.
Silva, who invested considerable time in ensuring that Fulham put together an acceptable to keep Willian at the club earlier this summer, still believes that the former Brazilian international can play a big part in Fulham’s 2023/24 campaign. The Riyadh-based club might have enticed Willian to consider their offer – but striking a deal with the Cottagers will be much more difficult.
We only have him under contract for a year, so he can go and join the veterans and has-beens like Ronaldo – not to mention the hypocrites like Saudi Henderson – next Summer and still get his blood(y) money.
Word is he took one look at the pink kit and said I’m not wearing that, I’m off.
Bang on Gary!!! Lol
Strange times! It all seems very unsettled so hopefully its just gossip. I really hope silva signs an extension – hats off to him for rejecting Saudi, but you cant help but feel his reluctance to extend isn’t helping. As much as i love mitro, willian, marco…. Nobody is bigger than the club and if they don’t want to be there lets move on!
Definitely not colour either there to dazzle the opposition!!
Am I missing something here? I thought permission had to be sought to approach a player.
It appears these rules , if they exist , are not being observed. Where are the authorities FIFA.?
Whilst I am having a moan, whats the business with bags being a problem at the Cottage now. Has anybody been smuggling in contraband, bombs or worse still food and drink that has not cost the earth.
Is there a clause in Willian’s contract allowing him to leave for free If so it is out of the Clubs hans. Otherwise do not let him leave for less than 10milion but offe bhim an Olive branch saying he can leave at the end of the season by not taking up the option of extending his contract
There are two sides arguing in my head over this one (and Mitrovic): on the one hand, if someone does not want to pull on our beloved white shirt, they can jog on – and one, not so loudly, saying that these guys only have short careers and cannot be blamed for having their heads turned by money. This being said, what is all this ‘secret clause’ malarkey?!!! – is this not proof that we need a proper (as in ‘knows what they’re doing’) Director Of Football to replace Boy Khan before Marco says “Sod this for a game of soldiers!” and moves to the land of sand and wonga.
What is this secret clause if true. Surely TK cannot be that stupid to set up a contract that allows a player to leave a player to leave within a month except if there is a large release clause of over 10 million. I always thought Willian was a honourable man.