Chelsea are reportedly ready to part ways with David Luiz, provided Arsenal come in with an offer of at least £8 million for the Brazilian defender.

The Mirror speculate that Frank Lampard is willing to let David Luiz leave for local rivals Arsenal. Chelsea though, are demanding Arsenal pay an £8 million transfer fee in order to enter into talks with the Brazilian on personal terms and conclude the deal before the British transfer window.

The David Luiz story has taken everyone by shock. The Brazilian has been a regular in his second stint at Chelsea and appeared in all but two Premier League matches in the 2018-19 campaign for the club. Luiz was part of a defence that recorded 16 clean sheets in the Premier League last campaign.

There was no speculation surrounding the Brazilian’s future right up to the eve of the deadline day. But, on Wednesday, reports emerged that the 32-year-old had not trained with the first-team and instead trained away from the stars.

The report further added that Arsenal were interested in David Luiz and that the Brazilian was keen on and pushing for a move to the local rivals. The move though, makes sense for all parties from a closer look.

Arsenal need a leader figure at the back, after Laurent Koscielny pushed through an exit to Bordeaux. Besides needing a leader figure, Sokratis is the only central defender that inspires confidence right now and Unai Emery will need to address the position if they are to have a good season.

Set to join the local rivals? (Picture Courtesy - AFP/Getty Images)
Set to join the local rivals? (Picture Courtesy – AFP/Getty Images)

David Luiz is a Premier League veteran and has played at the highest level for a long time. The Brazilian has also proven his technical skill and vision over the years. His passing range and the ability to come up with goals at crucial times is also something that Emery will look to add to his defensive line.

For Luiz himself, the move makes sense from a competitive point of view. Chelsea do not have the luxury of strengthening their squad and go into the season without a proper striker and having lost arguably their best player in Eden Hazard, who joined Real Madrid. Arsenal, on the other hand, have an enviable frontline and could ideally challenge for trophies.

It is a season of rebuild for Chelsea and the transfer ban allows them to give chances to youth. Luiz is 32 and will need to be phased out next season if not the 2019-20 campaign. Frank Lampard seems to prefer youth and could, even if Luiz stays, play the likes of Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Fikayo Tomori over the Brazilian.

£8 million is an affordable amount for Arsenal, if it brings them a veteran of the game in David Luiz. The Brazilian will also add some personality to the squad and the backline. This looks like a deal that should be completed before the British transfer deadline, provided Frank Lampard, as reported, is willing to let Luiz go.

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