Fulham winger Willian doesn’t sound very concerned about his contract situation with the club.
His deal with the Whites expires at the end of the season, and despite their wish to renew it, he’s set to analyse other offers before giving a response.
That was made clear in an interview Willian today had with Brazilian journalist André Hernan. When asked about his future, he insisted that Fulham’s intention to give him a new deal won’t rush his decision.
“It’s true, my contract runs out at the end of the season. Fulham are a team I’m very grateful to, they opened the door for me so that I could return to the Premier League. They’ve also signalled their interest in me renewing my contract. I told the club that I would decide my future at the end of the season. For now I’m just thinking about finishing the season well, finishing playing, finishing well without injury, which is the most important thing,” said Willian.
“And I’ll decide my future that way, towards the end of the season. Of course, I’m open to hearing about other opportunities too, if that’s the case. Here at Fulham I have the door to renewal and I’m very happy to know that they want me to stay here. But nothing has been decided yet and, as I said, I’m open to hearing about other options, other opportunities too.”
Willian was asked if his telephone has been ringing, and he said it’s his agent’s phone that should be getting all the calls.
“Not yet. Not mine yet. My agent’s should be ringing a lot (laughs).”
Willian was then pressed about the possibility of leaving Fulham for an alternative market, such as the Saudi league, and didn’t want to rule that out.
“Well, I suppose so. If suddenly it was something I thought would be interesting for me, something good. Why not? As I said, I’m open to hearing it, whether it’s Arabia or wherever. As long as it’s something good, right, for me. I think I’ll be able to play at a high level for a few more years. Of course, being in Europe, playing in Europe, coming back, in this case, suddenly playing in the Champions League, would be very nice, right? I think every player wants to play in the Champions League, regardless of their age.
“And since I left Chelsea, it’s been a few years since I’ve played in the Champions League. So I’ve been watching Champions League games and sometimes I feel the urge, the longing to play Champions League games. So, in short, I’m going to try to decide my future calmly, wisely too, to think carefully about what’s going to be best and let’s see now, wait until the end of the season to decide.”
The player has decided, without any doubt, that he’s against returning to Brazil, as his bad experience at Corinthians diminished any chance of a return to his home country.
“Man, to be honest with you, I don’t have that thought. As far as I’m concerned, my goal is to stay in Europe or somewhere else. And I really don’t have that desire, that goal of returning to play in Brazil. Of course, I respect all the clubs in Brazil and there are great clubs in Brazil that a player can play for. But it’s my personal goal, and I think it’s important for me to stay playing abroad.”
Featuring for Fulham this season, Willian has five goals and two assists in 34 appearances. He turns 36-years-of-age in August.
