Manager Carlo
Ancelotti is known to be monitoring the injury situations of key
defenders Alex, who has had knee surgery, and John Terry, who has a
sciatic complaint, and he is said to be an admirer of the Benfica
man.
The Italian has, however, hinted in recent weeks that a
British-based player could be a more suitable option, and
Portuguese-speaking Luiz would have to break the language barrier
before he could settle into life in England.
Chelsea’s reported £17 million offer falls way short of the £43
million needed to activate the release clause in Luiz’s contract
and it is said that Benfica would rather sell players such as Fabio
Coentrao and Carlos Martins as they look to raise the funds to be
able to keep Luiz in their ranks.