Chelsea 17m David Luiz bid rejected as Manchester City lurk

Last updated : 30 December 2010 By Daily Mail

Carlo Ancelotti admitted at the weekend that he could be in the market for a defender to arrest their stuttering form.

Chelsea and Manchester City were both keen on Luiz in the summer, but Benfica insisted they would not sell for anything less than his £43m release clause.

International superstar: Luiz (No 4) lines up for Brazil against the US

The situation has now changed, with the Lisbon giants struggling in the league and Luiz reportedly making it clear he will not sign a new contract to stay beyond 2015.

Alternative: Much-admired Bolton defender Cahill

City are expected to meet Benfica's revised £25m asking price when the transfer window reopens next month, but Portuguese newspaper Record claims Chelsea have already made the first move.

However, Stamford Bridge boss Ancelotti may have to look at other targets - such as Bolton's Gary Cahill - after suggestions that they would not go above £17m for Luiz.

Despite having the meanest defence in the Barclays Premier League - conceding 15 in 19 games - Chelsea have recently struggled with injuries to central defenders John Terry and Alex.

They have recorded just two clean sheets in their last 13 games, contributing to a fall from runaway Premier League leaders to fourth-placed title-race outsiders.

Meanwhile, City boss Roberto Mancini said this week: 'Players like Luiz, whom so many admire, and who I consider to have all to become one of the best defenders in the world. But he's under contract at Benfica.'

 Mancini admits Balotelli is homesick and confirms interest in Dzeko and Luiz I have got money to spend! Chelsea boss Ancelotti targets new defenderCHELSEA FC

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail