Chelsea buys Benfica defender David Luiz for 21.5 million pounds
February 1st, 2011 - 3:57 pm ICT by ANI
London, Feb 1 (ANI): 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)
- Liverpool rejects 35 million pound Chelsea bid for Torres - Jan 28, 2011
- Chelsea targetting four young European stars for 70 m pounds - Feb 17, 2010
- Rooney kept out of England squad for Spain, Sweden friendlies - Nov 07, 2011
- Torres ready to end goal drought against Manchester City - Mar 20, 2011
- Chelsea will win FA Cup: Ancelotti - Feb 13, 2010
- Chelsea's midfielders are old and slow: Torres - Sep 10, 2011
- Liverpool snubs Chelsea's new offer of 42.5 million pounds plus striker for Torres - Jan 29, 2011
- Chelsea now eyeing to sign Real Madrid midfielder Kaka - Mar 06, 2011
- Torres can join Chelsea for 50 million pounds - Jan 30, 2011
- Serb star says Man City must spend more to win UK Premier League - Feb 04, 2011
- Lukaku contemplating loan move away from Chelsea - Mar 02, 2012
- Abramovich ready to fund 25 million pound bid for Kaka - Feb 12, 2011
- Torres doesn't have to score to prove his worth: Ancelotti - Mar 03, 2011
- Ancelotti hopeful about Chelsea defending Premier League title without Cole, Torres - Jul 19, 2010
- Ancelotti backs Torres despite flop Chelsea debut - Feb 07, 2011
Tags: 5 million, barnsley, carlo ancelotti, cobham, collapse, customs, daniel sturridge, david luiz, fernando torres, girlfriend, jacob mellis, jeffrey bruma, lisbon airport, london feb, monday night, negotiations, private flight, serbian, sun reports, west brom