Premier League Champions dent Arsenal’s January transfer plans

According to reports, English Premier League champions Chelsea have opted they will send defender David Luiz out on loan in the New year but will not allow him to move to an English Premier League rival club.

The Brazilian international defender was dropped from the Blues after a heavy loss to Serie A giant AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League in October and has not featured in any League game since then.

Subsequently, he sustained a knee problem that has sidelined him and prevented the former PSG man from winning back manager Antonio Conte’s trust, though returned against Norwich in the Emirates FA Cup yesterday.

He has been attracting a couple of interest ever since, with Arsenal strongly linked with a transfer – through the Express claim that the Blues will not allow him to move to Arsenal.

The defender’s relationship with manager Antonio Conte has collapsed to the extent that Chelsea are actively looking to sell the centre-back in the winter, even if only on a season-long loan.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger needs more reinforcement and stiff competition at central defence and was closely tracking David Luiz, while Premier League second placed team Manchester United are also reportedly linked. But the Blues would rather not do business with English teams and are sounding out suitors from abroad, with Serie A giants Juventus a possible destination.