Willian expects to leave Chelsea at end of June: 'It seems unlikely I'll extend'

Brazilian midfielder has been at the club since 2013 and has won two Premier League titles

Willian celebrates scoring the third goal in Chelsea's 4-0 Premier League win over Everton. EPA

Willian celebrates scoring the third goal in Chelsea's 4-0 Premier League win over Everton. EPA

Willian applauds the crowd after Chelsea's Premier League win over Everton. PA

Willian celebrates scoring the third goal in Chelsea's 4-0 Premier League win over Everton. AP Photo

Willian in action against Andrew Robertson during the FA Cup fifth round tie between Chelsea and Liverpool. EPA

Willian with manager Frank Lampard after being substituted during the FA Cup match against Liverpool. Reuters

Willian scores Chelsea's first goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Getty Images

Willian celebrates scoring against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Reuters

Willian celebrates scoring against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Reuters

Willian celebrates scoring against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Reuters

Willian watches his shot go into the goal to score Chelsea's first goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup. AFP

Willian celebrates scoring against Liverpool in the FA Cup. AFP

Brazilian midfielder Willian has admitted his Chelsea career is likely to end this summer after negotiations collapsed over a new contract.

Willian, 31, has been at Chelsea since 2013 and has largely been a mainstay in the first team, making 329 appearances in all competitions, scoring 59 goals and assisting another 59.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has publicly spoken of his desire to tie Willian down to a new contract, stressing the importance fo the Brazilian's experience and quality to his young squad.

However, talks broke down over an extension to the deal that is set to expire on June 30, with Willian holding out for a three-year deal while Chelsea were only prepared to offer two years. The offer was already a break from the norm for the Blues, who typically offer one-year contracts to players over the age of 30.

Given the stand-off, Willian revealed in an interview with Fox Sports show Expediente Futebol that his time at Stamford Bridge is almost up.

"I've built something fantastic at Chelsea," he said. "I'm especially fond of the fans and the people that work there, and I've felt very settled.

"Everyone knows my contract is up in a few months and it looks like it'll be difficult to secure an extension. I think it's unlikely that I'll renew because Chelsea offered me a two-year deal, I asked for three and it ended there.

"There were no more talks or negotiations. Chelsea said that three years would be impossible, so at the moment it seems unlikely that I'll extend, but nothing is impossible.

"We don't know what might happen. We might suddenly reach an agreement, but what I can say today is that my contract is up and I'll be free to negotiate with any club."

Willian, who has won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and the 2019 Europa League with Chelsea, stated that his aim is to remain in Europe for next season. The Brazilian was attracting interest from Barcelona last year, with Chelsea rejecting a series of bids from the Spanish giants.

"At the moment I'm not thinking about going back to Brazil and my aim is to stay in Europe," said Willian, who started his career at Corinthians in Brazil before moving to Ukraine to play for Shakhtar Donetsk and later switched to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala prior to joining Chelsea.

"I think there's still scope for me to do that in the current market and continue playing at the top level for a few more years. My target is to remain in Europe."

Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham have both been linked with a move for Willian, although the delayed end to the Premier League season - which is certain to go on beyond June 30 - due to the coronavirus pandemic is sure to complicate contract situations for players with expiring deals.

Willian's announcement comes the week after fellow Chelsea winger Pedro confirmed that he would also be leaving the club at the end of his contract this summer.

To help fill the voids left by the pair, Chelsea have already moved to sign Ajax star Hakim Ziyech for £40 million (Dh191m), with the Morocco international joining the club at the end of the season.