Willian denies Tottenham talks as Arsenal legend claims Chelsea star cannot sign for Gunners

Chelsea star Willian has denied having talks with Tottenham to sign for free next season.

The Brazilian looks almost certain to leave Chelsea at the end of this season as he hunts for a three-year-deal and North London seems a likely destination.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes that Willian will shun a move to join the Gunners in favour of a switch to Spain.

The Brazilian international is set to be a free agent at the end of the season after failing to agree a new deal at Stamford Bridge – despite Frank Lampard keen for him to stay.

Earlier this week it was reported Willian had agreed to move to Spurs having discussed the move with his “friend” and old manager Jose Mourinho, report The Sun.

But the 31-year-old has flatly denied that is the case, according to ESPN.

Brazilian journalist Joao Castelo-Branco tweeted: “Willian completely denies rumour that Mourinho has been in touch recently regarding playing for Tottenham. Absolutely no deal even close there. willian thfc cfc.”

Meanwhile, Keown has stated that he doubts whether Willian will make a move across London.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I don’t see him going to Arsenal.

“I think he’s aiming for Barcelona or Real Madrid. He’s an incredible talent.

“Chelsea will be weaker if he goes but Frank Lampard knows what he’s doing. I’m sure he wants to keep him.”

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry expresses fear as reasons for Frank Lampard’s move for Aubameyang are revealed

Thierry Henry has expressed his apprehension over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s likely departure in the summer, saying he would be difficult to replace if he left Arsenal.

Aubameyang has been linked with a move away from Arsenal over the past six months, with his contract expiring in the summer of 2021.

Chelsea are one of the top European clubs angling to sign the Gabon international in the summer.

Henry wants Aubameyang to stay at Arsenal – but admits he would understand if he chose to leave the club instead after doing the same thing himself as a player.

He told Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp on Thursday’s The Football Show: “Everybody will do what they have to do. How am I going to tell someone to stay when I left? As an Arsenal fan, you want him to stay, but as a football player, he will assess the situation with his family, with his dad who I know also and will see what’s the best for them.

“If you’re an Arsenal man, you don’t want him to leave but also the guy has a career. I don’t know what’s in his head and where he wants to go, but all I know is that we are definitely going to miss his goals if he does leave. He does score goals and if you take the goals of Aubameyang away, it’s a tough one.

“I respect the decisions of people, I respect what they have to go through and what dream or desire they have but any Arsenal fan would be crazy to say he should leave. We don’t want him to leave but on the other side, you have to understand that the guy may need to see something else.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Lampard is interested in bringing Aubameyang to the club after another impressive campaign for Arsenal.

According to Bleacher Report, Lampard is tempted to make a move Aubameyang for two significant reasons.

Firstly, the Chelsea manager believes he could secure his signing for a similar price that it would cost to bring in Moussa Dembele from Lyon.

And secondly, Aubameyang would add some crucial experience to Lampard’s youthful squad as they look to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City above them.

Frank Lampard reveals training period Chelsea stars will need to be back in full fitness as Premier League resumes

Frank Lampard says his Chelsea team will need a pre-season and a month of training to get back to full fitness for when the Premier League resumes.

He outlined his plans in a video call that Chelsea set up with key worker and lifelong Blues supporter Dr Panos Theodoropoulos.

Lampard said: “There’s some weeks where we’ve rested them a bit and then we keep working and staying in contact.

“Not only is it a long break but for big parts of that break they’ve been sitting down on the sofa. They haven’t been getting as active as they normally would be.

“We will need to play that one by ear and see what period of time we get, whenever we do go back.

“They’re talking about going back in smaller groups, which is how we’ll probably start and that will be more about maintaining fitness and then stepping it up. We need some form of a pre-season and proper training for three or four weeks.”

Bakayoko picks next club, seeks Chelsea exit as Sevilla make offer

There are fresh reports Midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko wants to leave Chelsea and return to AC Milan on a permanent basis as Sevilla are angling to acquire the services on loan.

Chelsea signed the Frenchman in 2017 from Monaco but after an underwhelming debut season in the Premier League he was sent on loan to Milan for the entire 2018/19 campaign.

According to Calciomercato, Bakayoko has not forgotten about Milan and has maintained a very strong bond with his old team-mates and – perhaps most importantly – the Rossoneri fans.

The Frenchman’s quarrels with Rino Gattuso remain an open wound, but Bakayoko has apologised and understood his mistakes, and not seizing the opportunity to stay and carry on playing at Milan still hurts him. In essence, he would ‘rush back’ to Milan if the opportunity arose.

Bakayoko went to meet the Milan players after their 4-2 derby defeat to Inter earlier this year, keen to relive some of his memories at San Siro.

The emergence of Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge has not helped his Chelsea career as the Blues boss decided that he would be surplus to requirements, after failing to impress during pre-season and was subsequently loaned back to his old club.

But the indecision of the Ligue 1 side on whether to re-sign the 25-year-old permanently has left the door open to a return to Italy or Spain.

They are not willing to pay the €42m purchase clause in the deal, meaning it will be back to square one for the midfielder – and for Chelsea in terms of trying to sell him.

Meanwhile, Sevilla are planning to offer the Blues €5m for a season-long loan, with their own option of €30m.