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Chelsea boss open on letting key Barcelona target leave this month

By Atharva Khadilkar

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring the 3rd Chelsea goal with Willian of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith's Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring the 3rd Chelsea goal with Willian of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith's Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /
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With them being touted to make big signings in the coming months, Chelsea are ready to let go of one of their man wanted by Barcelona.

Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League after 22 matches and are targeting a finish in the Champions League places by the end of this season. Frank Lampard’s men still have the elite European competition’s knockout phase coming up, but a very strong Bayern Munich side awaits the west Londoners over a two-legged round of 16 tie.

Frank Lampard has been quite blunt in his post-match interviews over the need to kill games off whilst getting forward and being more stable at the back. Nevertheless, the Englishman has been blessed with a upliftment of a transfer ban which means that he is now allowed to sign players in the month of January as well.

Express has reported that the Blues intend to sign a striker with Timo Werner and Moussa Dembele being targets, but finding a partner for Tammy Abraham is no more the priority for them. It has also been said that Roman Abramovich is willing to sanction a big money signing as early as this month, allowing Lampard to look beyond a thin budget.

Among the possible departures, Chelsea’s boss has opened the door for Willian should he wish to leave the club after contract talks between the player’s reps and the club have stagnated. While Willian ideally wants a longer stay at the Stamford Bridge, those in the offices above are not so keen on tying the player down to contract of over one year.

Given that the Brazilian winger’s association with the club ends in the summer, it is preferable from their end to let the player leave this month and get some cash in their hands rather than losing him for completely free six months later. That said, it must be kept in mind that Barcelona have been looking at Willian since a long time now.

Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho is the chief target in west London to refurbish the wings, but he has better offers from the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. But it remains to be seen if he chooses to go to a newer league or opts for a Premier League return. On the other hand, Wilfried Zaha currently seems to be out of reach after Crystal Palace have branded him to be very expensive.

Next. Chelsea line-up a lucrative move for the "next John Terry". dark

If Willian leaves Chelsea for free, what do you see as his next destination?

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