The Catalans have been in the market for a long-term replacement to
captain Carles Puyol and have set their sights on Chelsea's centre-
back
By Ben Hayward in Barcelona
Barcelona have stepped up their search for a new centre-back by making a
€25 million bid for Chelsea defender David Luiz.
Barca set their sights on Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva earlier
this summer as a long-term replacement for captain Carles Puyol, but have
been frustrated in their attempts to sign the Brazil captain and also missed
out on his international team-mate Marquinhos, who joined PSG from Roma
in July for €35m.
Sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta then turned his attentions to another
Brazilian as Barca looked set to bid for Luiz late last month, but all transfer
plans were placed on hold as coach Tito Vilanova departed to continue his
cancer treatment and new man Gerardo Martino was installed at Camp Nou.
Martino has said he is happy with Barca's current squad, but Puyol is still
several weeks away from full fitness and has been plagued by knee
problems over the last two years.
Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has claimed that Luiz - who is currently
sidelined with a hamstring problem - is not for sale, but Barca have opened
the bidding for the Brazilian at €25m and sent club representative Raul
Sanllehi to London in order to negotiate a deal.
Barca have also dispatched a delegate to Liverpool for talks over the
possible signing of defender Daniel Agger and, according to the Danish
press, the Blaugrana are ready to offer €20m for the 28-year-old centre-
back.
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