Brazilian playmaker Willian will link-up with the rest of the Shakhtar Donetsk squad in Abu Dhabi this week despite speculation continuing to link him with a move to the Premier League.
Willian is due to fly into the UAE capital separately this week where he will meet up with his Shakhtar team-mates after spending much of the club’s winter break in his homeland.
The Ukrainian champions are in the Emirates for the Matchworld Cup – a four-team friendly tournament also featuring Zenit St Petersburg, Al Hilal and Zamalek – as they build up their preparations for the resumption of the Ukrainian season.
Willian’s future has been the subject of much speculation in recent months with the 24-year-old admitting that he is keen to quit the club with both Chelsea and Tottenham keen on his signature.
“My goal is to play for a bigger club in a high level league,” Willian said recently. “The club know that I want to leave, everyone knows that. The president has told me that he’ll let me go for £24.4m and my intention is to sign for a big club.”
Shakhtar’s £12.4million capture of another Chelsea target, Taison, last week had led to renewed speculation that the club were preparing for the departure of their exciting No10.
However, organisers for the Matchworld Cup have confirmed Willian has been listed on the Shakhtar meaning fans in the UAE will get to see what all the fuss is about.
They are also likely to be given the first glimpse of Shakhtar new-boy, Taison, who is understood to have shunned a move to Chelsea to join the ever-expanding Brazilian contingent at the Donbass Arena.
Shakhtar are using their Abu Dhabi base to fine tune their preparations for next month’s Champions League last 16 clash with German giants Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile, fans will also be treated to Zenit’s big-money summer recruits, Hulk and Axel Witsel, after the Russian champions announced they too will bring a full-strength squad to their UAE training camp.
Zenit are also in European action next month when they take on Liverpool in the last-32 of the Europa League.
2013 Abu Dhabi Match World Cup – Schedule
January 16
Zenit St Petersburg v Al Hilal (5pm UAE)
Shakhtar Donetsk v Zamalek (8pm UAE)
January 19
Shakhtar Donetsk v Al Hilal (5pm UAE)
Zenit St Petersburg v Zamalek (8pm UAE)
All matches will be played at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.
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