Barcelona revive interest in David Luiz

Chelsea will entertain offers for the 26-year-old, but would only sanction a move for a significant fee, while St. Etienne defender Kurt Zouma has been lined up as a replacement
EXCLUSIVE
By Paul Clennam

Barcelona have made a renewed enquiry as to the availability of Chelsea defender David Luiz. 

Camp Nou officials contacted Chelsea about the Brazilian shortly before Christmas and Goal understands that the Brazilian is keen to discuss a move away from Stamford Bridge. 

	CHELSEA LATEST
10/3	Chelsea are 10/3 with William Hill to win the Premier League

Chelsea are willing to listen to formal offers for the 26-year-old, but Jose Mourinho considers the former Benfica man a valuable asset and would only sanction a move for a significant fee. 

Barcelona, who are looking to bolster their defensive options with skipper Carles Puyol coming to the end of his career and only Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique and Marc Bartra as recognised centre-backs, approached Chelsea over the summer but Luiz claims he rejected the chance to join the Catalan outfit. 

"There was an official offer [from Barcelona], but I decided to stay at Chelsea," the defender told Brazilian newspaperGazeta Esportiva in September. 

Mourinho moved to play down talk of any potential transfer last month, stating: "He’s our player and we are happy he’s back in a moment when we need him and John Terry in defence.” 

However, sources close to the club have indicated that Chelsea would be willing to let Luiz, who has impressed in recent weeks, leave the club if Barcelona make an offer that is too good to turn down. 

Chelsea have been tracking Saint-Etienne defender Kurt Zouma in recent weeks, with the club set to go head-to-head with Manchester City and a number of other sides in the coming months to secure the highly rated 19-year-old.