Barcelona Transfer Rumours: Barca Are Smart to Avoid Price Tag for David Luiz

Barcelona have reportedly cooled their interest in Chelsea's flamboyant utility man David Luiz, and with a price tag of £50 million on the Brazilian's head, they are right to do so.

The Mirror's John Cross reports that the Catalan giants have given up their pursuit of Luiz as they go in search for a defensive cover—meaning that former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano will no longer have to deputise at centre-half with Spain's Carles Puyol seemingly nearing the twilight stages of his career.

Despite being one of most wealthy and profitable football clubs on the planet, according to Forbes, Barcelona have baulked at the £50 million asking price from the Blues, after initially offering £35 million as Martin Lipton of the Mirror reports, and will now turn their attention elsewhere.

Cross writes:

"

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell appears to have given up on his hopes of buying Chelsea defender David Luiz.

Spanish giants Barca are now looking at other targets after the Londoners hung a £50 million price-tag put on the Brazilian's head - a figure designed to scare off the La Liga champions.

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, formerly in charge of Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid, has been adamant all summer that the West London club would not be selling the 26-year-old and that the Brazilian, who can play defence and midfield, was part of their long-term future,

Portuguese manager Mourinho told Sky Sports that he knows Luiz very well and whilst at Real Madrid had watched him “week after week,” stating that he has room to improve at the heart of Chelsea's defence. 

In an interview, Mourinho said:

"

I have known of David Luiz from the very beginning so I know him very, very well. And before I came back to Chelsea, I watched him week after week.

I see him as a centre-back because he has an important quality for a footballer - he can build from the back.

He is very comfortable and confident with using the ball from the back - he does not play direct.

And he can improve, especially defensively. He can be much more effective, much more solid. But the potential he has is amazing, incredible

"

There are, however, contradicting reports in the press, with Jack De Menezes of the Independent reporting that Luiz has told Chelsea he would like to sign for the Blaugrana.

The newspaper suggests that the Brazilian has spoken to Mourinho and declared that he would prefer a transfer to the Catalan club.   

Regardless of whether these rumours turn out to be true or not, unless Chelsea significantly drop their asking price, a deal seems a long way off.