Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on David Luiz Amid Antonio Conte Exit Talk

David Luiz is reportedly more open to the idea of staying at Chelsea past the summer if manager Antonio Conte departs the club.

According to Goal's Nizaar Kinsella and Bruno Andrade, the Italian boss is expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, and centre-back Luiz believes he will have more opportunities at Chelsea if and when that happens.

It's added the Brazilian is viewed as an "important figure at the club" by the Blues hierarchy, so they will likely be keen to see him remain.

Luiz, 30, returned to Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 in a £34 million deal and played a big role as Conte's Blues won the Premier League title last term, as recognised by the PFA:

However, after a tough start to the 2017-18 campaign and poor performances in the UEFA Champions League against Roma, Luiz was dropped by Conte.

Andreas Christensen has jumped ahead of the Brazil international in the defensive pecking order, and Luiz has made just five appearances since the start of November.

He is currently sidelined due to a knee injury but is targeting a return for the Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on April 1.

There is no guarantee Luiz will return to the side even when fit, though, as Conte has seemingly lost faith in him.

It is little surprise, then, that Luiz would likely welcome the departure of Conte. Under a new manager, he would have a much better chance of forcing his way back into the first team in west London.

Given his vast experience and enduring ability, Luiz can surely still be an asset at Chelsea, while his departure would likely disappoint the Blues fanbase, with whom he remains popular.