Written by Football Talk.

Chelsea have suffered a set-back in their pursuit of defender David Luiz after Benfica told the premier league champions they must pay £33m to secure his signature, according to a report in the The Daily Mail.

Luiz is the man Carlo Ancelotti has identified as the player to solve his defensive headache, after it emerged that Ricardo Carvalho want’s to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and Brazilian Alex will miss the start of the season through injury.

Chelsea are believed to be ready to bid up to £27m to secure the player, amid interest from both Real Madrid and Manchester City. But Benfica are determined not to lose their man without a fight and have slapped a £33m price-tag on one of the most highly-rated young defenders in Europe.

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