Chelsea and Tottenham miss out on Anzhi-bound Willian
Shakhtar Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu has confirmed Brazil midfielder Willian is expected to join Anzhi Makhachkala, depriving Premier League sides Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur of a player both have been extensively linked with, according to ESPN.
The 24-year-old was the subject of a transfer deadline day offer from the wealthy Russian club that met his £35m release clause, despite Lucescu feeling Willian was leaving Ukraine too soon.
He said: “There is a club willing to pay the release clause in his contract and Willian agreed to move. There is nothing I can do.
“To tell you frankly, I tried to convince him to stay because I think his decision is hasty and not thought out well enough. He is like a son to me.”
Chelsea and Spurs are known to have been previous suitors for Willian but were blown out of the water by the depth of Anzhi’s pockets. Anzhi sold Christopher Samba to Queens Park Rangers on Thursday, freeing up even more money.
Anzhi are two points behind CSKA Moscow in the Russian league and are coached by former Netherlands and Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink. Samuel Eto’o, formerly of Barcelona and Inter is the club captain, while they face a Europa League double-header with Bundesliga side Hannover when the competition resumes next month.
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