From France: Arsenal Launch £17.5m Bid To Sign South American Star

The summer transfer window is open and managers are working hard on their transfer targets so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal are linked with David Luiz….

Arsenal have launched a £17.5m bid to sign Brazilian defender David Luiz but Chelsea appear determined to hold out for more, according to reports in France via the Express.

Gunners boss Unai Emery is wasting no time trying to strengthen the squad he inherited from Arsene Wenger and overhauling the back four seems like a priority after Arsenal conceded 51 Premier League goals last season. Emery has already snapped-up Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer from Juventus while a deal to sign Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also reportedly close.

However, it looks like Arsenal are still on the look out for further defensive reinforcements as the Express are citing a report from Le10 Sport that claims the north Londoners have tested Chelsea’s resolve with a shock £17.5m [€20m] offer to sign Luiz this summer.

The South American centre-back has been at Stamford Bridge since re-joining the club from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 having previously enjoyed an excellent three-year spell at Chelsea between 2011-2014.

Luiz played a key role in helping the Blues win the 2016/17 Premier League title but he fell out of favour under Antonio Conte last season and made just 16 appearances in all competitions during an injury-plagued campaign.

The Brazilian international is widely expected to find a new club this summer and it seems Arsenal are keen to offer him a fresh start in north London. However, Chelsea are determined to get top money for the 31-year-old as the French publication says they’ve already rejected Arsenal’s £17.5m offer.

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It remains to be seen whether the Gunners will return with an improved bid but it was certainly an audacious attempt by Emery to try and land Luiz from their London rivals at a cut-down price considering Chelsea paid around £35m for him two years ago.