Chelsea buys Benfica defender David Luiz for 21.5 million pounds
By ANITuesday, February 1, 2011
LONDON - After buying ace striker Fernando Torres in a record deal, Chelsea wrapped up the 21.5 million pounds signing of Benfica defender David Luiz just minutes before the transfer window closed.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti feared over collapse of the deal as the Brazilian defender failed to board a private flight to London.
Luiz, 23, turned up at Lisbon Airport with his girlfriend, brother and agent and was waved off at customs by Benfica sporting director Rui Costa.
But with the two clubs still haggling over the final fee, Luiz returned to his house while negotiations continued over the phone, The Sun reports.
It was not until two hours before Monday night’s 11pm deadline that Benfica finally accepted Chelsea’s offer of 21.5 million pounds plus Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic.
Now Luiz will fly to London today for a medical at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.
Ancelotti has been chasing him for months and feels Luiz is the answer to all his team’s recent defensive problems.
The arrival of Luiz and Torres meant Ancelotti could loan striker Daniel Sturridge to Bolton, midfielder Jacob Mellis to Barnsley and defender Jeffrey Bruma to West Brom for the season. (ANI)
