Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Willian hints at plan to leave Fulham on free transfer as he reveals ‘other opportunities’
WILLIAN has revealed that he is considering leaving Fulham at the end of the season.
The Brazilian winger, 35, has been a star for Marco Silva‘s side this season but will be out of contract in the summer.
While Fulham have offered a new deal, the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea man will not make a decision until the season is over.
Willian has not ruled out staying at Craven Cottage, but says he has ambitions of returning to the Champions League and would be open to joining a Saudi Arabian club.
He said: “It’s true, my contract runs out at the end of the season.
“Fulham are a team I’m very grateful to, they opened the door for me so that I could return to the Premier League.
“They’ve also signalled their interest in me renewing my contract. I told the club that I would decide my future at the end of the season.
“For now I’m just thinking about finishing the season well, finishing playing, finishing well without injury, which is the most important thing.
“And I’ll decide my future that way, towards the end of the season.
“I’m open to hearing about other opportunities too, if that’s the case.
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“Here at Fulham I have the door to renewal and I’m very happy to know that they want me to stay here. But nothing has been decided yet and, as I said, I’m open to hearing about other options, other opportunities too.”
Asked if his phone had been ringing with opportunities, Willian joked: “Not yet. Not mine yet. My agent’s should be ringing a lot!”
Willian has five goals and two assists in all competitions this season and boss Silva – who rejected a Saudi offer last summer – has often hailed his impact on the squad.
Fulham also suffered the blow of losing star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi side Al-Hilal last year.
Asked about making a move to Saudi, Willian told South American journalist Andre Hernan: “Well, I suppose so.
“If suddenly it was something I thought would be interesting for me, something good. Why not?
“As I said, I’m open to hearing it, whether it’s Arabia or wherever. As long as it’s something good, right, for me.
“I’ll be able to play at a high level for a few more years. Of course, being in Europe, playing in Europe, coming back, in this case, suddenly playing in the Champions League, would be very nice, right?
“Every player wants to play in the Champions League, regardless of their age.
“Since I left Chelsea, it’s been a few years since I’ve played in the Champions League. So I’ve been watching Champions League games and sometimes I feel the urge, the longing to play Champions League games.
“I’m going to try to decide my future calmly, wisely too, to think carefully about what’s going to be best and let’s see now, wait until the end of the season to decide.”