Arsenal are interested in securing the services of Chelsea outcast David Luiz. Some sources have claimed that the Gunners are plotting a surprise £30m offer for the Blues’ defender when the transfer window reopens in January. The charismatic centre-back has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge following his recent bust-up with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and it is believed that their relationship has not gotten any better over the past few weeks. Arsene Wenger is looking for reinforcements next month and a report in the English press suggests that Luiz is currently on top of the Arsenal manager’s January wish-list. It is understood that the 30-year-old is also being tracked by a whole host of clubs which include Manchester United as well as Juventus and Real Madrid.
Wenger is looking for a defender who can play in the backline or as a defensive midfielder and Luiz seems to be the perfect fit, especially considering how he has gathered a wealth of experience in the Premier League and the Champions League which means that he can slot right into the Gunners’ first team if they are able to secure his services. The Brazilian has held meetings with Antonio Conte to resolve some of the issues with regards to his future although the club is still reluctant to provide him with regular first-team football.
In a recent interview, when asked to address the future of the defender, Conte said:
“I don’t read. I don’t have some information about this topic. I repeat, I am very realistic and tell the truth. I answered about him a few days ago.”
Luiz has just featured once for the club after being excluded from the Chelsea side that won against Manchester United. He faced off against Qarabag in the Champions League and kept a clean sheet in the game. There is no doubt about the Brazilian’s talent and with a place in the 2018 World Cup squad looming on the horizon, it is no wonder that the centre-back is trying to move to greener pastures. The Gunners will be a good fit for him but it remains to be seen whether Chelsea are willing to do business with Arsenal who are their direct London rivals. Any potential move will definitely not go down well with the Chelsea supporters if Conte lets him move to the Emirates.
Only time will tell whether Arsenal are able to fend off stiff competition from Juventus and Real Madrid in pursuit of the defender’s services next month.
