It isn’t cheap to buy Brazilian these days. According to the London-based newspaper, The Daily Mirror, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has recently come forward and placed a hefty €40 million($52.85 million) as the price to pay for defender David Luiz. The curly-haired Brazil international has found himself a wanted man in recent weeks with Barcelona F.C. showing some serious interest.
It is no secret that Barca are in need of center backs and apparently Luiz is the first name on their shopping list. After having a bid turned down by Chelsea last year, the Catalan side has returned to try to shore up their back line. Of course, the ball-playing Luiz is the perfect player for the Barcelona’s patented tika-taka style of soccer, but it is unknown how much they would be willing to pay for the Samba star.
Abramovich and the Blues will be hoping the 40 million euro price tag scares any potential suitors off, as Barcelona are reportedly only willing to offer in the region of €30 million($39.6 million). Luiz has been a fan favorite and big time player for Chelsea over the past two seasons, making 62 appearances and scoring six times. He only recently signed a long-term deal last year and has already been assured of a prominent role in the team under new boss Jose Mourinho.
There has been speculation of a Barcelona move for Liverpool’s center half Daniel Agger if Luiz cannot be baited, yet the Danish international is clearly the Catalan’s second choice. The next few weeks will be telling as the Spanish champions use all the tools in their arsenal to persuade Luiz to join them.
Don’t count out the use of his fellow countrymen in the form of newly acquired Neymar and Daniel Alves as some of those tools.