Arsenal transfer target Willian absent from Chelsea squad vs Bayern Munich

Joe Krishnan7 August 2020

Willian appears to have played his final game for Chelsea after he was absent from their travelling party for the Champions League last-16 clash against Bayern Munich.

The Blues flew out to Munich with a 23-man squad on Friday ahead of their clash at the Allianz Arena, having lost the first leg 3-0 back in March.

Willian has been involved in light training this week after missing the win over Wolves and the FA Cup Final defeat to the Gunners through injury.

But the Brazilian was not among the 23 players who travelled to Munich, suggesting it is increasingly likely he will complete a free transfer to capital rivals Arsenal.

Blues boss Frank Lampard was handed a decision to make on his availability after the squad trained at Cobham earlier on Friday.

Farewell? Willian will miss the Champions League tie against Bayern Munich Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Willian, who turns 32 on Sunday, is understood to be close to agreeing a lucrative three-year deal with Arsenal believed be worth over £100,000-a-week.

It was believed Lampard would have no issues with using him in Germany if he was match fit. However, it seems Willian will now miss the chance to bid farewell to the Blues after seven years at Stamford Bridge.

With Christian Pulisic and Pedro also injured, Callum Hudson-Odoi - who has only featured intermittently from the bench since the restart - is likely to be handed a starting place.

Chelsea squad in full

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, N'Golo Kante, Ross Barkley, Tammy Abraham, Willy Caballero, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kurt Zouma, Mateo Kovacic, Olivier Giroud, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Michy Batshuayi, Reece James, Fikayo Tomori, Jamie Cumming. Emerson Palmieri, Lewis Bate, Dynel Simeu, Henry Lawrence, Ian Maatsen, Armando Broja.

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