Chelsea Transfer Rumor: Blues Preparing Summer Bid For Brazilian Midfield Man?

If the latest reports are to be believed, London-based Premier League heavyweights Chelsea have made Ukrainian Premier League side Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian attacking midfielder Willian their primary target and will look to prepare a bid to lure away the player when the summer transfer window opens.

Willian, 23, has been praised by Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu who has also admitted that Willian could be on the move this summer and Chelsea could be his preferred location. Although the club previously insisted that the player was not for sale, they could change their mind if they receive a satisfactory transfer amount for the Brazilian.

Shakhtar chief executive officer Sergei Palkin revealed in January that the club had received a $26.77 million (£16.7 million) bid for the attacking midfielder which was then rejected. Now it is clear that if Chelsea are to lure away the player, they have to increase the amount of the fee that might force the Ukrainian club to let the player go.

Palkin said that anyone who is interested will have to come up with a better amount as the club itself spends a lot to bring these talented youngsters and groom them for the future. Apart from Willian, other players like Luiz Adriano, Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Dentinho and Alan Patrick have also attracted suitors although they are young.

The club, according to a Tribal Football report, has been clear that they are not against letting their players play in bigger leagues and clubs, but whoever is interested in Willian will have to pay the full amount. Else the player will stay back as he has two-and-a-half years on his current contract.

Willian Borges da Silva, who arrived at Shakhtar from Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A side Corinthians in 2007 on a five-year contract, has made 188 appearances for the Donbass Arena-based side in all competitions.