Former Chelsea and Arsenal attacker Willian could be in line for a shock return to the Premier League this summer, according to reports.
The 33-year-old left the Emirates last summer after an inauspicious spell with the Gunners, having netted just one goal in 25 Premier League appearances for the club in his one and only campaign.
He was shipped off to Brazilian side Corinthians this time last year, agreeing to take a massive pay cut on the rumoured £300,000-a-week deal he was handed by Arsenal.
But he has not set the world alight back in his homeland, only netting one goal in 35 appearances as well as laying on four assists – though he is still considered a key player.
According to Goal.com, he – somewhat surprisingly – still has suitors in the Premier League and has held talks with Fulham over an unlikely return to London.
Willian appears keen to leave Corinthians, having struggled somewhat to settle and suffered with muscle injuries, and would like to return to England.
He even has a clause in his contract which means the Brazilian side are obliged to facilitate a move to a European club, allowing Fulham to open talks.
Willian did, of course, live in London for over nine years, having first moved to Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013.
He has very fond memories of living in the capital, raising his young family there, while a potential move to Fulham would see the winger return to his old stomping ground of west London.
Fulham are likely attracted to Willian’s enormous amount of experience – both in the Premier League and Champions League – and have been looking to add senior pros to their squad in their effort to avoid the drop.
Corinthians, however, would be loathe to lose a player who is an important part of the squad when fit.
Marco Silva and Fulham appear to be keeping a close eye on the Brazilian market and have already signed Manchester United’s Brazilian midfielder Andreas Pereira, who spent the last season on loan at Flamengo.
The Cottagers have a growing contingent of Portuguese-speaking players in their squad, with another ex-Flamengo player – Rodrigo Muniz – joined by Ivan Cavaleiro and summer signing Joao Palhinha.
Were Willian to move to Fulham, he would also be reunited with old Arsenal team-mate Bernd Leno.
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