Chelsea have told Barcelona not to return with a second offer for David Luiz after rejecting their opening £34.5million bid.
Sportsmail revealed the Catalan club’s intention to make a formal bid for the Brazil international after making the central defender their No 1 transfer target.
The offer was flatly rejected by Jose Mourinho and the Stamford Bridge club have told Barca officials not to bother with an improved offer, informing them that Luiz isn’t for sale at any price.
Wanted man: Barcelona have bid for David Luiz but Chelsea are expected to reject the offer
Barcelona, though, firmly believe Luiz wants to join them and will press ahead.
They are concerned Chelsea are merely driving up the price and have countered by lining up a £15m offer for their back-up option, Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.
Liverpool insisted on Wednesday night that they have yet to receive a formal bid for the 28-year-old Dane, who failed to travel to Norway for the friendly with Valerenga but indicated any such offer would still be rejected.
Agger feels a great sense of loyalty to Liverpool after they stood by him through various injuries but Barcelona’s interest will prove difficult to turn down if they persist.
Luiz remains the Spanish champions’ preferred option but they recognise Agger’s style fits perfectly into their blueprint.
Ruled out: Luiz will miss Chelsea's game against Real Madrid through injury and has been training on his own
Talks between Barcelona and Chelsea took place on Monday, with the formal offer for Luiz understood to have been submitted on Tuesday.
But the message that Luiz is unavailable was strong on Wednesday as the club prepared for the penultimate pre-season clash of the summer in Miami, against Mourinho’s former club Real Madrid in the Guinness International Champions Cup final.
Despite suggestions Luiz’s maverick style would not fit with Mourinho’s more disciplined approach, the Portuguese has made it clear he wants to keep the central defender.
Man in the middle: Jose Mourinho said earlier in the summer that he does not want to sell Luiz
Luiz, who missed the clash against Real during the early hours of this morning with a slight hamstring strain, is happy in London but a move to Barca is likely to be a tempting proposition. Speaking on Wednesday, Barca coach Tata Martino — whose side are on tour — was coy on his side’s bid, saying: ‘We are here in Thailand, I know nothing about this.’
But Martino is desperate to sign a new central-defender with 35-year-old stalwart skipper Carles Puyol in the twilight of his career and increasingly injury-prone.
The Barca boss did, however, reiterate that Cesc Fabregas, who is a target for Manchester United and Arsenal, is staying at the Nou Camp.
‘Fabregas is with us and will stay with us this season,’ said Martino.
Sportsmail revealed the Catalan club’s intention to make a formal bid for the Brazil international after making the central defender their No 1 transfer target.
The offer was flatly rejected by Jose Mourinho and the Stamford Bridge club have told Barca officials not to bother with an improved offer, informing them that Luiz isn’t for sale at any price.
Wanted man: Barcelona have bid for David Luiz but Chelsea are expected to reject the offer
They are concerned Chelsea are merely driving up the price and have countered by lining up a £15m offer for their back-up option, Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.
Liverpool insisted on Wednesday night that they have yet to receive a formal bid for the 28-year-old Dane, who failed to travel to Norway for the friendly with Valerenga but indicated any such offer would still be rejected.
Agger feels a great sense of loyalty to Liverpool after they stood by him through various injuries but Barcelona’s interest will prove difficult to turn down if they persist.
Luiz remains the Spanish champions’ preferred option but they recognise Agger’s style fits perfectly into their blueprint.
Ruled out: Luiz will miss Chelsea's game against Real Madrid through injury and has been training on his own
But the message that Luiz is unavailable was strong on Wednesday as the club prepared for the penultimate pre-season clash of the summer in Miami, against Mourinho’s former club Real Madrid in the Guinness International Champions Cup final.
Despite suggestions Luiz’s maverick style would not fit with Mourinho’s more disciplined approach, the Portuguese has made it clear he wants to keep the central defender.
Man in the middle: Jose Mourinho said earlier in the summer that he does not want to sell Luiz
But Martino is desperate to sign a new central-defender with 35-year-old stalwart skipper Carles Puyol in the twilight of his career and increasingly injury-prone.
The Barca boss did, however, reiterate that Cesc Fabregas, who is a target for Manchester United and Arsenal, is staying at the Nou Camp.
‘Fabregas is with us and will stay with us this season,’ said Martino.
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