Chelsea told to up offer for Willian after £16m bid rejected

Chelsea have been told to up their offer if they want to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Willian.

Andre Villas-Boas has tried to play down his interest in the Brazilian – but Shakhtar confirmed this morning that they have rejected a £16m bid from Chelsea for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.

The offer is the same amount the Ukrainian club rejected a year ago from Portuguese champions Benfica and talkSPORT understands that Shakhtar are looking for a fee in excess of £20m.

Willian has been watched by Europe’s elite since he moved to the Ukraine from Corinthians four years ago for a fee of around £12m.

If a fee is agreed for the Brazilian star, it seems certain that a work permit will be rejected on the grounds that he has only 2 full caps for Brazil. But any move should go through on appeal under the “special talent" ruling.

Willian has since been dropped for Shakhtar Donetsk's friendly match with Bunyodkor on Monday, raising more doubts over his future.