After an impressive season in the Spanish top flight, Ernesto Valverde will want to make some smart additions to the squad to try and go further in Europe as well. Barcelona have a fair number of players struggling to get into the first team but the manager is desperate for a few fresh faces, that can make an impact on the squad.
One such player, the Catalans have now made a bid for is Chelsea winger Willian.
The Blues have finally announced that they have sacked Antonio Conte and are expected to announce Maurizio Sarri as their new boss in the upcoming days. This unrest might see them lose a number of their first team stars and Willian probably heads the line.
The Brazilian winger, who had a mixed World Cup campaign in Russia, was crucial in Conte winning a league title in his first season in England but after a change in the system last season at Stamford Bridge, Willian has seen game time hard to come by.
Having joined Chelsea in 2013, the pacey and skillful winger has won two league titles and was named the player of the year for the Blues twice, including in the season just gone by. He scored 44 goals in all competitions for the club, often producing brilliant performances in crucial games.
However, he made just 20 league starts last season, registering six goals and seven assists, and has been linked with an exit since the end of the season. Manchester United were believed to be interested in his services with Mourinho looking for a reunion., but reports now suggest that Spanish giants Barcelona have made an improved for his services. The La Liga champions made a bid of £50m earlier this week and were in talks with the English club. However, it is now understood that they have improved their offer to £53m, which could be enough for Chelsea to sell.
At 29, he is not a long-term option but can make an immediate impact at the club. Barcelona have Ousmane Dembele, who does not seem ready to make regular first-team appearances while Philippe Coutinho and Luiz Suarez will start regularly next season as well, leaving Dembele and Willian fighting for places on the wing.
He is experienced and will help Barcelona compete on all three fronts. He is an immediate fix to a problem that haunted them last season. Dembele remains the only natural winger at the club and any change in shape or system was a nightmare for Valverde.
Read More: Brazilian Midfielder Confirms He Has Signed For Barcelona Ahead Of Time: Perfect Man For Valverde?
However, with Willian in the squad, the manager has options to pick from and this will make his system all the more effective. Do you think at £53m, Willian is a decent buy for Barcelona?
