Toon linked with loan bid for ace Luiz
CHELSEA head coach Antonio Conte has refused to confirm whether David Luiz will leave Stamford Bridge next month, amid speculation linking the Brazilian with a loan move to Newcastle United.
The 30-year-old defender’s relationship with Conte has soured this season and, although Luiz is currently sidelined with a knee injury, he is expected to depart Stamford Bridge during the January window.
Arsenal, Real Madrid and Juventus have also been credited with an interest in the versatile Brazilian, although the Evening Standard claimed yesterday that Rafa Benitez has enquired about being reunited with a player he previously managed in west London.
Blues boss Conte straight-batted a question about Luiz’s future during his Carabao Cup quarterfinal Press conference on Thursday, however.
“I don’t read the speculation and I [therefore] solve the problem. I don’t read so I don’t have information about this topic. As a person I am very realistic, I like to tell the truth,” Conte said when asked about reported interest in Luiz from Newcastle and Arsenal.
“I don’t listen. I don’t have anything about [the Luiz rumour].”
Benitez has certainly contacted former club Chelsea and made it clear that he would be interested in taking any of their fringe players on loan for the second half of the campaign, but whether Luiz is among his top priorities remains to be seen, particularly given the defender’s report £120,000-aweek pay packet.
Forward Michy Batshuayi and winger Charly Musonda are two other Chelsea players Newcastle have tracked over the last six months.