• Premier League

Chelsea's £26m bid for Willian rejected

ESPN staff
July 18, 2012
Willian was reportedly close to joining Chelsea in January © PA Photos
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Chelsea have seen a £26 million offer for playmaker Willian turned down, according to Shakhtar Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu.

Willian has been linked with last season's Champions League winners for the past 12 months, with Chelsea having a £16.7 million bid rejected in January. Lucescu maintains the attacking midfielder can leave for Stamford Bridge, but only for the right price.

"I told Willian he can leave, but only if the right offer is made," Lucescu told Romanian TV station Dolce Sport. "He's a great player. Willian was the biggest investment Shakhtar have made in a young player, we have to respect that. He played only seven or eight games in Brazil."

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has already spent £32 million on Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard from Lille. But Lucescu questioned the Premier League club's valuation of players after Shakhtar knocked back an offer of €34 million (£26 million) for Willian.

"They paid a lot of money for Hazard but are not willing to pay for Willian, even though he's better in my opinion.

"Chelsea want to buy Brazilian but made an offer for the eastern European market. They offered €34 million but we don't think that's his current value," Lucescu said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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