EPL: Nottingham Forest to sign Willian on free transfer

Brazilian winger and former Chelsea star Willian has undergone a medical for a potential move to Nottingham Forest.

The Brazilian was one of the stars of Fulham’s impressive season last time out, but the club only offered him a one-year extension which he immediately turned down.

The Cottages have since returned with an improved offer which Willian is reported to still be considering but he’s held talks with Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper and has already moved fast to undergo his medical.

Sources say that Willian team’s offered him to Chelsea when talks with Fulham broke down but the Blues turned down the chance as they look to go a different direction.

Should he choose Nottingham Forest, Willian will sign a lucrative deal to play at the City Ground and could have the option of finishing his career in Greece with Forest’s sister club, Olympiacos. He will also become Forest’s first summer signing should a deal be reached.

The 34-year-old veteran made 30 appearances for Fulham last season. He scored five goals and provided six assists during the 2022-23 season.

The former Chelsea and Arsenal player is a two-time Premier League winner with the Blues, as well as winning the UEFA Cup in 2009 with Shakhtar Donetsk and the Europa League 10 years later with Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea.  

Willian earned 70 Brazil caps between 2011 and 2019, scoring nine times, most recently during their run to winning the Copa America in the last year of the 2010s.

Fulham were one of the surprise packages of the season in their first campaign back in the English top-flight, as they finished in the top half of the table. Nottingham Forest finished in 16th place, securing their status in the Premier League with a week remaining.