When reports started that Willian could leave Arsenal in the summer, his former club Corinthians always seemed like the frontrunners in the race.
It’s been said that the Gunners accepted a free transfer only on condition of the player returning to Brazil, while a move to European sides would have cost a transfer fee.
A few clubs were linked to the player at the time, but something new shows up this week, as Willian confirmed that José Mourinho tried to take him to Italy.
The question was presented by journalist Benjamin Back on an Arena SBT show. Even though there were never strong rumours about the winger moving to Roma, he asked Willian if the manager wanted him at the Giallorossi.
“Oh, he always made some contact with my agent,” Willian told Arena SBT.
“Since when I worked with Mourinho at Chelsea, and when he left we became friends, we always spoke by text, or even by phone call. And of course I know he likes me a lot, he has a lot of respect for me too. But neither he nor Roma reached any agreement and that’s it.”
Willian joined Corinthians on a contract until December 2023. He’s made two appearances for the club so far, and is still waiting to score his first goal for them since leaving the Brazilian side back in 2007.
