Chelsea Transfer News: Villas-Boas Gives Starlet Update as Defender Exits

Andre Villas-Boas has given his take on the situation surrounding Brazilian starlet Willian's move to Chelsea, with the manager revealing that a deal is unlikely due to a number of issues.

Willian was widely believed to be in the firing line for a move to Stamford Bridge this month, and Shakhtar Donetsk confirmed as much last week, admitting a bid had been turned down for the versatile midfielder.

"We have received a bid from Chelsea for Willian valued at 20million euros, but he is not for sale," Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin told Sky Sports.

But as news of the deal reached Willian himself, the 23 year old said he would welcome a move to Chelsea if the option were available to him, telling the Sun: "They have a culture of winning trophies and that excites me.

"Chelsea are known as one of the biggest and most successful clubs around.

"To play for them is a challenge I would accept and enjoy. If a deal doesn't go through, I'll understand. But I hope it happens."

But now Villas-Boas has quashed any speculation that Chelsea may bid higher than €20 million for Wililan's services, with the young manager claiming that visa and price issues have scuppered any possibility of a deal.

He said: "Willian is an extremely interesting player but I don't think we will progress with our interest because of different issues, from work permit to price valuation.

"I think our project next year is more important than the actual project at the moment. Not that Willian doesn't have the characteristics for the future but we are betting a lot on what we can build on for next year."

Villas-Boas also revealed that the club have been scouting Kevin De Bruyne for some time, but won't necessarily make a move this month, with summer pinpointed as a possible time to decipher a deal for the Genk youngster.

"Kevin is a player that is not within my immediate projects," he explained.

"He's a player that the club has scouted for quite some time and was interested in for quite some time.

"I think Kevin is an extremely interesting player and I think it's a good bet eventually if the club finishes the situation."

Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Alex is likely to be unveiled as a Paris Saint Germain player on Friday, according to French paper L'Equipe.

Alex handed in a transfer request in at Stamford Bridge in December, and the club have already found a replacement, with Gary Cahill joining to take on the centre back position this month.

Kevin de Bruyne highlights v Chelsea in the Champions League:

Willian career highlights:

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