Benfica Confirm Negotiations With Chelsea Are Ongoing After Receiving Offer For David Luiz

Abel Xavier in no doubt player will be a success.
Chelsea are close to signing David Luiz from Benfica after the Portuguese club revealed negotiations are ongoing, with only the finer points of the deal holding the move up.

A statement from Benfica revealed they had received an offer from the current Premier League champions, suggesting it was only a matter of time before the deal was concluded.

Benfica issued the following statement to the Portuguese stock exchange (CMVM): "Sport Lisboa e Benfica inform that we have received an offer from Chelsea Football Club for the acquisition of the sporting and economic rights of athlete David Luiz Moreira Marinho.

"Moreover, we would like to clarify that, since a negotiation process between both parties is ongoing, the market will be informed when it is completed."

The fee for the player, who missed a penalty in the club's 2-0 cup win against Rio Ave on Wednesday night, is reported to be in the region of around £25 million and only differences over payment instalments remain.