According to the latest reports, Chelsea may sell Willian in order to make room for Lucas Moura as they eye a Brazilian exchange.
As Chelsea look to climb back up the table and defend their Premier League crown, the press are already speculating over January personnel changes. The latest transfer rumours suggest that Willan may be sold as the Blues line up a move for his Brazilian teammate, Lucas Moura.
The Metro cites French sources as they claim that Antonio Conte may replace one out-of-favour winger with another.
"Conte is understood to be on the hunt for Willian’s replacement ahead of the January transfer window and PSG are listening to offers for Lucas, 25, which has put the Italian on red alert. Le 10 Sport claim Chelsea are looking to sell Willian for a high price and are eyeing a deal of around £27million for Lucas, his international team-mate."
Willian has made 11 Premier League appearances for Chelsea so far this season. However, five of those have been off the substitutes bench. The Brazilian’s form has somewhat dipped over the last 12 months and Conte seems to have gone cold on him.
Simple question: Would you sell Willian to buy Lucas Moura?
— The Pride of London (@PrideOLondon) November 14, 2017
Lucas Moura, meanwhile, has barely featured for Paris Saint-Germain. The winger has only played five times in Ligue 1, none as a starter. At only 25 years of age, the highly-rated Brazilian could prove to be a shrewd signing for the Blues.
The question, though, is whether Chelsea need to sacrifice one Brazilian for the other. With Lucas seemingly being valued at under £30 million, the Blues should be able to afford the deal without selling Willian.
Having said that, Willian may well want to move on. With the lack of football he is currently receiving, his prospects will only get more dim should Lucas arrive. A January reinforcement is supposed to reinvigorate the squad and give some of the regular starters some rest. Willian would probably fall behind the new arrival in the pecking order.
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At the moment, this is all just tabloid speculation but it is worth considering. Should Chelsea be looking to strengthen in January? And is Willian for Lucas Moura a decent move to make? Sound off in the comments below!