Manchester United have turned down the chance to sign Chelsea winger Willian, according to the Daily Mail.
The Brazilian international is expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham also said to be keen on snapping up the player on a free transfer.
However, United will reportedly not be partaking in the battle to sign Willian with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking to sign young, British talent instead. Supporters on Twitter were split on the manager’s decision to reject the opportunity to sign the 31-year-old:
Would be another Sanchez
— R (@Rohith81733155) June 22, 2020
We should take him ASAP . And get sancho too
— Queen Bee ? (@chokolataaah) June 22, 2020
Better than Dan James as a squad option tbh
— OB (@Utd_OB) June 22, 2020
Ole’s a smart man
— Rhys (@RhysOnFootball) June 22, 2020
My manager ole
Mourinho would have taken that flop in— Miles (@Miles22876282) June 22, 2020
Ole doesn’t know ball get him OUT
— Marc (@SpIashford) June 22, 2020
Mourinho would take this player any day of the week. But fortunately for us Ole has some sense ??
— Ole ⚽ (@HansemOle) June 22, 2020
Get him as Sancho back up
— AM ? (@Goatial11) June 22, 2020
We are not a retirement FC
— Miles (@Miles22876282) June 22, 2020
Ole knows ball
— Sheldon ?? (@_AxySzN) June 22, 2020
There’s no doubt that Willian would have given the squad some added experience but he wouldn’t have fitted the transfer policy which is in place.
The Manchester club are now reportedly trying to sign homegrown players with potential who can go on and improve, rather than pursuing tried and test internationals who have already hit their peak years.