Newcastle United join Arsenal in race for David Luiz …but only want the Chelsea defender on loan

Wanted | David Luiz
Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images
Simon Johnson19 December 2017

Newcastle United have joined the race to sign Chelsea defender David Luiz next month, but are only interested in a loan deal.

Luiz's future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain due to his relationship with coach Antonio Conte.

Arsenal are looking into buying a centre half next month and have been linked with a £30m move for the Brazilian.

Chelsea showed in the summer that they are not averse to selling a player to a domestic rival having allowed Nemanja Matic to join Manchester United for £40m.

​Juventus and Real Madrid have also been linked with the 30-year-old, who needs to play more regularly to have any chance of being selected by Brazil for the World Cup next summer.

Standard Sport understands that Newcastle are also keen, with manager Rafa Benitez desperate to strengthen the squad in the new year.

Benitez knows Luiz well having been in charge of Chelsea for seven months in 2012-13, when they ended the campaign with the Europa League trophy.

The duo were spotted chatting for several minutes after Newcastle's 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

In Pictures | Chelsea vs Southampton | 16/12/2017

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Newcastle can only afford to take him on a short term loan though and if the takeover by Amanda Staveley falls through, then the club will definitely need Chelsea's help in paying the defender's £120,000-a-week wages.

Luiz is still recovering from a knee injury, but hopes to be fully fit in time for Chelsea's FA Cup Third Round match at Norwich City next month.

The former Paris Saint-Germain star is no longer first choice due to the form of Andreas Christensen.

But if Luiz departs, Chelsea will be short of cover for an intense fixture schedule, especially if they reach the League Cup semi-finals by beating Bournemouth on Wednesday.

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