Willian agrees to join Al-Shabab just TWO WEEKS after penning his new deal at Fulham - and is waiting for the Cottagers to strike a deal with the Saudi Arabian outfit
- Willian signed a new deal at Fulham last month after speculation over his future
- He was courted by Nottingham Forest but decided to extend his time at the club
- He has now changed his mind and decided to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab
Fulham winger Willian has agreed to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab and is waiting for the clubs to agree a fee.
Willian initially rejected interest from Nottingham Forest and signed an extension at Craven Cottage last month - but now he is set to depart west London just two weeks on from penning his new deal.
The 34-year-old, formerly of Chelsea and Arsenal, signed his new one-year contract on July 17, seemingly ending speculation over his future.
But now, the Brazilian is ready to become the latest top flight player to join the Saudi Pro League this summer having already agreed to move to the Middle East.
Mail Sport reported how, after his initial deal ran down, Willian held talks with Forest over a potential move and even visited their training ground.
![Willian, who signed a new Fulham deal last month, has agreed to join Saudi Arabia's Al-Shabab](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/03/17/73931051-12370027-image-a-5_1691078517358.jpg)
Willian, who signed a new Fulham deal last month, has agreed to join Saudi Arabia's Al-Shabab
![It provides a headache for Cottagers boss Marco Silva who has faced a summer of disruption](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/03/16/73930737-0-image-a-3_1691077804225.jpg)
It provides a headache for Cottagers boss Marco Silva who has faced a summer of disruption
He ultimately snubbed the offer from Steve Cooper's side and decided to stay in west London after an impressive debut season at the club - which saw him score five goals and register six assists in 27 Premier League appearances.
Despite turning down the Midlands outfit, Willian could not be dissuaded from the prospect of joining Al-Shabab on a lucrative deal.
The Telegraph have claimed that the Saudi Arabian club plan to double his current salary at Fulham, but the newspaper claims no official offer has yet been made to the Brazilian.
Fulham - who are hoping to build on last season's 10th place finish - will now look to strike a deal with Al-Shabab and collect a transfer fee for Willian, seeing as he is now under contract in west London.
When Willian signed his new deal, he had outlined his delight at extending his stay for another season.
He said: 'I am completely happy. Happy to sign one more year with Fulham.
'Happy to continue the work that I did last season with all my team-mates and the whole club.
'I think it’s a club that can do even better this season, so I’m happy to continue this amazing adventure.'
The rise to prominence of the Saudi Pro League continues to provide a headache for Fulham, with Silva rejecting a £40m offer to take over at Al-Ahli this summer.
![Al-Shabab could double the winger's wages, although Fulham are yet to receive an official bid](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/03/17/73930733-12370027-Al_Shabab_would_double_the_Brazilian_s_wages_although_Fulham_are-a-1_1691079729274.jpg)
Al-Shabab could double the winger's wages, although Fulham are yet to receive an official bid
![Aleksandar Mitrovic is also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, with Al-Hilal keen on him](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/03/17/73930785-12370027-Aleksandar_Mitrovic_is_also_attracting_interest_from_Saudi_Arabi-a-2_1691079729284.jpg)
Aleksandar Mitrovic is also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, with Al-Hilal keen on him
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal - who Silva also rejected an offer from - are in for star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, but the Cottagers have already turned down several bids having slapped a £52m price tag on his head.
However, Mitrovic is desperate to make the move and did not feature in any of Fulham's pre-season games on their US tour. His frustration will likely grow even more should his team-mate Willian be permitted to leave.
The club are keen to bring in further reinforcements this summer having only added Calvin Bassey from Ajax and Raul Jimenez from Wolves so far.
Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi and Demarai Gray of Everton are among their targets ahead of starting the season away at the Toffees on August 12.
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