David Luiz contract decision revealed after crunch meetings with Arsenal
David Luiz will not have his contract with Arsenal extended this summer and will have to look for a new club, according to reports.
Luiz joined Arsenal from London rivals Chelsea in the summer of 2019. He impressed Mikel Arteta enough to have his deal extended into this season. But the situation has now changed and Luiz is approaching the end of his time with the club.
The Brazilian has made more than 70 appearances for the Gunners. He helped them win the FA Cup last summer but now they will be moving on from him.
A number of sources, including the Daily Mail, The Athletic, Sky Sports, ESPN and BBC Sport, have confirmed that Luiz will be leaving.
There is said to have been a meeting between the defender and the club on Friday. They came to a mutual decision that he would not be staying at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal had not put an offer of an extension on the table for Luiz. Yet it is claimed that even if they had, he would not have signed it as he wanted to explore other opportunities.
Luiz is still recovering from injury, but there are two matches left this season if he can make it back in time. After that, he will have to look for the next step – which could be in England or abroad.
In the summer, Arsenal will look to refresh the position with younger options. There could finally be a chance for William Saliba when he returns from his loan spell at Nice.
Luiz split opinion at Arsenal but was valued for his experience. Hence, some have claimed that they did want to keep him, despite the lack of a formal offer. Instead, he told them he wants to move on.
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Luiz linked with several clubs
Online outlet Caught Offside (citing prominent Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola) reported earlier this month that Luiz is ‘being seen as a target’ for Fenerbahce as well as Portuguese side Benfica.
Italian side Lazio have also been suggested as potential suitors in the recent past.
But Luiz has spoken of his desire to return to Benfica before, so that could be an interesting avenue for him to follow.
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