There has been rapid progress in Corinthians’ negotiations to sign Willian from Arsenal, with the free transfer now expected to go through.

CBS Sports report that their sources claims there has been rapid progress in negotiations for Willian to complete a free transfer from Arsenal to Corinthians. The club are expected to secure the deal, though Arsenal will part-subsidise his wages.

That would make it a very similar transfer to the deal that saw Mesut Özil leave for Fenerbahce last season. Again, that was a free transfer – albeit with some minor future bonus payments – and Arsenal paid a significant portion of his wages to the end of the season.

Fabrizio Romano initially reported on Monday afternoon that Corinthians had made an official proposal to sign Willian from Arsenal.

Romano added that Willian was tempted, though he was still giving priority to European clubs at that stage. But it seems the Corinthians deal is now looking increasingly likely to happen.

The Daily Mail previously wrote that Willian is set to leave Arsenal imminently, with talks now at an advanced stage and all parties keen to complete a deal.

Willian missed the opening game of the Premier League season with Covid-19. He wasn’t involved against Chelsea and continues to be listed on the club’s team news updates as being ‘continually monitored’. The likelihood of him playing another game for Arsenal is decreasing by the day.