Luiz keen on Chelsea exit with Arsenal set to pounce
DAVID LuIz missed first-team training at Chelsea yesterday as he attempts to force through a shock move to Arsenal. Sportsmail understands Luiz has been an increasingly disruptive figure at the club’s Cobham HQ in recent days, culminating in yesterday’s surprise development.
It is understood the Brazil defender did report for training but was not involved in the senior set-up, casting doubt over his position at the club.
Sources suggest the decision for Luiz not to train with Frank Lampard’s squad was mutual, but there were differing views from other insiders last night, who feel his omission was part of a wider plan he holds to escape to the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea were yesterday awaiting a formal offer from the Gunners, with the north London club hopeful of securing Luiz for as little as £5million given he is 32 years old.
Despite leaving the club a central defender light — and without the option of signing a replacement due to their transfer ban — Chelsea are willing to let Luiz leave ahead of
today’s 5pm deadline as the transfer window in England slams shut.
Chelsea broke their club policy of only offering players over the age of 30 one-year extensions by offering Luiz a two-year deal earlier this year.
But despite the commitment from Chelsea, the defender is determined to leave Stamford Bridge and has not hidden his feelings at the club’s training base.
Indeed, Luiz has been at the centre of a number of spats in recent days, seriously irking Lampard and his backroom team, who have been at pains to nurture a united atmosphere since their arrival from Derby County earlier this summer.
Despite the prospect of losing his most experienced central defender, Lampard is believed to be open to letting Luiz leave.
The Chelsea manager, who is clearly unwilling to let anyone impact on his squad’s team spirit, is understood to have made his stance clear.
The final decision over whether Luiz will be allowed to leave will be left to club director Marina Granovskaia.
But with little prospect of Lampard selecting the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star following a series of rows, the path for the South American to leave looks clear. If the two clubs cannot agree a fee early this morning, Arsenal may look to walk away from the deal to focus on other options.
Luiz’s exit could impact on academy defender Fikayo Tomori’s future.
Tomori was lined up for a loan move away — but Chelsea may have a change of heart to ensure Lampard has enough cover at centre-back.
As it stands, Andreas Christensen, Kurt zouma and Antonio Rudiger, who is injured, are the club’s senior central defenders.