Inter Miami has rejected the chance to get Arsenal winger Willian due to the Brazilian’s high salary demands.
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The 32-year-old agreed to a free transfer from Chelsea last summer and signed a large three-year contract and planned to make Arsenal a Champions League challenger, but it could hardly have gone worse for him.
Willian managed just one goal in 37 games in all competitions in his debut campaign, and his poor form led to many reports that he will leave Arsenal this summer if the right buyer can be found.
Inter Miami volunteered to be that buyer and Willian was open to making the switch to Major League Soccer, but according to The Sun, he was looking for more than £ 160,000 a week to connect with David Beckham’s side.
Unsurprisingly, Inter Miami quickly distanced itself from these figures. Their highest income is Gonzalo Higuain, who takes home around £ 80,500 a week, so getting anywhere close to Willian’s demands would never happen.
Willian priced himself out of a move / Visionhaus / Getty Images
A transfer to MLS is now believed to have completely collapsed, leaving Willian in purgatory. Arsenal still hope to sell him but are struggling to find someone willing to offer him anything close to the type of salary he earns at the Emirates.
Getting his salaries out of the books can be crucial for the Gunners this summer as Mikel Arteta’s side is doing their best to go out on a hefty spending spree.
An agreement of 7 million pounds for Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares has been made and Arsenal hope to be able to follow it with a move to Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, who is expected to cost about 17 million pounds.
Arteta wants to spend big this summer / Pool / Getty Images
Arsenal are also pushing ahead with plans to sign Brighton center-back Ben White, who comes with a price tag of around £ 50 million, so getting rid of Willian’s salaries would go a long way to freeing up that kind of money.
Selling Granit Xhaka helps raise the required funds. The Swiss midfielder is set to join Roma for the best part of £ 15 million, but Willian will not follow him out the door yet.
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