• Premier League

Luiz 'top target' for Barcelona

ESPN staff
July 31, 2013
Barca to launch bid for Luiz

Barcelona will sign a centre-back from the Premier League in the summer - and Chelsea's David Luiz is their top choice, according to Spanish daily El Mundo Deportivo.

The paper says that although there are a number of options, the La Liga champions have a shortlist of two - Luiz and Liverpool's Daniel Agger.

Both defenders fit the Barca mould, confident on the ball and able to combine with midfielders or join the attack.

But the paper says Luiz is new coach Tata Martino's first choice, and believes the Barca board could begin negotiations with Chelsea this week.

Barca would be likely to have to pay in the region of €30 million for the 26-year-old, who made 30 Chelsea appearances last season, scoring two goals.

After impressing for Brazil in the Confederations Cup, Luiz was rumoured to be attracting interest from European champions Bayern Munich - but former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, now Bayern's boss, said: "David Luiz is not coming to Munich.

"I have five central defenders, and I'm very satisfied with them."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
Close