Chelsea Transfer News: Jose Mourinho Must Deny Bayern Munich Bid for David Luiz

David Luiz is a man in demand.

Despite attracting criticism for his sometimes error-prone displays, the Brazilian defender has often been linked with a move away from Chelsea since arriving in January 2011.

And, after his most productive season for the club so far, those rumours are refusing to go away.

The latest speculation revolves around a bid from German giants Bayern Munich, who are readying a £34.5 million bid according to Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph.

New Bayern boss Pep Guardiola was often credited with an interest in Luiz while he was manager of Barcelona, so it seems only natural that he'd be keen to sign him following the Brazilian's vastly improved performances over the past 12 months.

A bid of £34.5 million would leave Chelsea with a healthy profit on a player they signed from Benfica for £21.3 million, although owner Roman Abramovich is hardly crying out for the cash.

Manager Jose Mourinho was also forced to deny rumours that Luiz had been offered as part of a player-plus-cash deal in a bid to bring Wayne Rooney from Manchester United to Stamford Bridge.

Speaking at a press conference during Chelsea's tour of Asia, Mourinho told BBC Sport:

"

We want the player. Now it's up to Manchester United.

I think that this situation is clear—nothing is a secret any more.

The official bid is just about a certain amount of money and doesn't involve players. We made the bid and now we have nothing more to say.

"

Despite a huge offer from the Champions League holders on the horizon, Mourinho would be foolish to sell a player who is not only a fans' favourite but who continues to develop into a world-class central defender.

A regular in the heart of Chelsea's back four, Luiz has also forced his way into Brazil's starting XI and starred in his country's recent success at the Confederations Cup.

Last season he cut out many of mistakes that blighted his first season in West London, and in the process he became arguably the club's first-choice centre-back.

Former Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez also helped demonstrate Luiz's versatility by employing him in a central-midfield role for a number of games, a position the Brazilian relished with his natural instincts to attack and get forward.

Mourinho has indicated that he sees Luiz as a vital part of his plans for next season. The Sun quote the Portuguese boss as saying:

"

I like central defenders to be able to play. Again, it is a question of making the right decision.
For David Luiz, that is the important thing—to make the right decision.

But when a player is different and has more potential than others, he has to use his talent in a good way.

"

Mourinho appears to appreciate Luiz's ability and working with him in preseason is likely to develop the confidence in him ahead of the new Premier League season.

With his old boys—John Terry, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech and Ashley Cole—all reaching the latter stages of their careers, Luiz could be just the player to spearhead another Blue revolution by The Special One.