Chelsea are in talks with Brazilian forward Willian over a new, lucrative, long-term deal according to The London Evening Standard.
Chelsea hope to conclude negotiations with Willian over a contract extension in the new year.
In what will come as hugely welcome news to those Chelsea fans who felt that Willian was undervalued at the club the report states that he can expect a big pay hike as part of the deal.
The club want to reward the Brazil international for his superb performances this term by securing his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
His current deal, worth around £80,000 a week, expires in 2018 but Chelsea want to give him a minimum of another two years and take his pay to £100,000 a week.
Talks have already begun and it is just a matter of time before an agreement is announced.
Willian has been a consistently brilliant performer for Chelsea but the summer signing of Pedro left some concern about the South American being pushed out to the periphery of the squad.
But he has literally forced his way into the starting line up again by offering the sort of quality and commitment that is impossible to ignore – particularly for a side struggling in the manner that Chelsea have of late.
Pedro is a player of great technique and would be a good addition to any squad in the world. But, given the choice, we would take Hazard and Willian for the wide areas every time.
Willian has played 107 times for Chelsea since he moved from Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer of 2013. He has scored 13 goals in that time.
The 27 year old has also represented Brazil on 30 occasions and scored 6 goals.
