Rumour: Barcelona linked with move for David Luiz

Chelsea defender David Luiz could be set for a move away from the club, with Spanish side Barcelona still keen on taking the defender to the Nou Camp. The Catalan side were linked with a move for Luiz in the last transfer window, and Goal report that they are set to return with a renewed offer for the Brazilian defender.

Luiz claimed to have rejected the opportunity to join Barcelona in the summer, telling Brazilian newspaper Gazeta Esportiva in September that,

“There was an official offer [from Barcelona], but I decided to stay at Chelsea,” the defender told Brazilian newspaper.

However he may be more receptive to a move in this transfer window, having only featured sporadically under new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. Luiz has been alternating with Gary Cahill next to John Terry in the heart of the Blues defence, and has rarely been trusted by Mourinho to occupy the midfield role that he performed last season.

Speaking last month, Mourinho insisted that he was eager to keep Luiz.

“He’s our player and we are happy he’s back in a moment when we need him and John Terry in defence.”

However, it is believed that both club and player may be receptive to a move, although Chelsea will be expecting a significant fee for the player. Mourinho has been linked with a number of defenders in recent weeks, and could raise funds and squad space by offloading a player that has started just eight of Chelsea’s 20 Premier League games this season.