Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Wise to Reject Barca's David Luiz Bid

David Luiz is a wanted man. The Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel is among the many journalists reporting on Barcelona's interest in the defender, and their subsequent bid—which the Blues have immediately turned down.

Mokbel claims the offer was £34.5 million and that the Spanish giants have now made Luiz their No. 1 transfer target, as they look to bolster their defence.

Chelsea have supposedly informed the Catalan club not to bother making another offer as the Brazilian defender "isn't for sale at any price", according to Mokbel.

The Independent's Sam Wallace echoed these views and this is a stance the Londoners must maintain.

 For all his flair and occasional comedic lapses of concentration, Luiz is top defender who has improved the more he's acclimatised to the English top flight.

His unorthodox style for a defender often—and sometimes unfairly—detracts from his overall contribution. With John Terry's form declining, Luiz is now the premier centre-back at Stamford Bridge and is the man Jose Mourinho must build his defence around.

Last season Luiz managed more interceptions (72) than any other team-mate at Chelsea and his tackle success of 84 percent was among the best returns of Premier League defenders.

His side took an average of 2.2 points from the 30 Premier League games he featured in, but won only two of the eight matches he missed (averaging just 1.1 points), emphasising how vital he is to the Blues.

The Guardian also run the story and quote Mourinho's own opinion on the defender:

"

David has come back with us fantastically and we have to use his quality. He has big self-confidence and self-esteem, especially when he comes up from the back with the ball. Can he improve defensively? Of course. But it is my job to try always to improve players.

 

"

Mourinho probably hopes to iron out some of Luiz's more flamboyant tendencies, but he clearly recognises the value of his player and admires his passing range and ability to take the Blues forward from the back.

Only Juan Mata and John Obi Mikel averaged more passes per-game than Luiz last season, highlighting just how central he is not only to Chelsea's defence, but to their style as well. Losing him would cause severe disruption this close to a new Premier League campaign.

Last season's Champions League saw Barcelona dethroned as European champions and overtaken by Bayern Munich as the leading side in Europe.

Should Chelsea accept a bid and hand Luiz over to the Catalans, they would not only disrupt their own preparations, but would help rebuild and elevate a genuine rival for next season's European campaign.

Statistics via Squawka and WhoScored?