Barcelona make Luiz bid – reports

Barcelona have tabled a bid for Chelsea defender David Luiz, according to reports on Wednesday.

The Catalan giants have been linked with the Brazil international all summer and on Wednesday they made their interest known by submitting a formal offer for the 26-year-old.

Luiz, who only signed a new five-year deal last September, has made over 100 appearances since joining from Benfica in January 2011 and would appear to be a big part of Jose Mourinho’s plans for the Blues.

The defender was recently linked with a move to Manchester United as part of Chelsea’s bid for Wayne Rooney. It was reported at the time that Chelsea had offered cash plus a player, either Luiz or Juan Mata, in exchange for the striker.

These reports were subsequently denied and only recently Mourinho spoke of his admiration for the player.

“David has come back with us fantastically and we have to use his quality,” he said.

“He has big self-confidence and self-esteem, especially when he comes up from the back with the ball.”