Barcelona Linked With Chelsea Defender

Despite the transfer window now being closed there will still be plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Barcelona are linked with David Luiz.

Spanish giants Barcelona may revive their interest in Chelsea defender David Luiz at the end of the season, according to the Daily Mail.

The report claims Barca coach Tito Vilanova is keen to strengthen his defence in the summer and bring in a long-term replacement for defender Charles Puyol. The club captain signed a new contract recently but at 34 years of age he’s not getting any youngster and the Catalans need to plan for the future.

The Mail suggest that Vilanova met with sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, technical secretary Albert Valentín and football co-ordinator Narcis Julià in New York this week to talk about potential targets, with Luiz understood to be one of the names discussed.

The Brazilian international has become something of a cult figure at Stamford Bridge since joining from Benfica two-and-a-half years ago but has struggled at times this season for form and fitness, and has been tested out as a defensive midfielder on occasion due to his uncertainty at the back.

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The Mail claim Chelsea would be reluctant to sell Luiz to a European rival but if they did decide to cash-in they would want to recoup the majority of the £21million they paid Benfica in 2011.

Personally, and I know many Chelsea fans may disagree with me here, but if Barcelona offered anywhere near £21m for Luiz I’d bite their hands off. The 25-year-old may be a lovable eccentric, but I just don’t think he’s cut out to be a Premier League defender. La Liga, and particularly Barcelona, would suit him far better.

Would you sell Luiz to Barcelona? Get involved in the comments section below.