David Luiz has sensationally tried to force a move to Arsenal by failing to report for training on Wednesday. Arsenal, whose coach Unai Emery worked with Luiz at Paris Saint-Germain, are said to be interested in signing Luiz before the transfer window closes at 5pm on Thursday.
Despite only signing a new two-year contract with the Blues in May, which broke the club’s policy on only handing players aged 30 or over one year deals, Luiz has made it clear he wants to go.
David Luiz is among options Arsenal working on for centre-back – delicate but not for 1st time (see 31/01/18) #AFC keen. Kieran Tierney remains a target, Eddie Nketiah still deciding but likely Leeds, Alex Iwobi will happen IF Everton make suitable offer #EFC #LUFC #CFC #CelticFC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) August 7, 2019
Chelsea are thought to be open to letting Luiz go with head coach Frank Lampard now unlikely to consider the Brazilian for selection.
Luiz had spoken positively about the new era under Lampard at Chelsea, but it is understood there have been a series of fall-outs in the background surrounding the central defender.
Kurt Zouma partnered Andreas Christensen for Chelsea’s final pre-season friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach and it seems Lampard will now put his faith in the pair for the first Premier League game of the season against Manchester United on Sunday.