David Luiz’s brief spell at Arsenal could be coming to as the former Chelsea defender is out of contract next month and no negotiations over a new deal planned.
Luiz was an £8m Deadline Day signing from Chelsea last August, replacing club captain Laurent Koscielny, who returned to France to join Bordeaux the previous day.
Also Read: Berbatov: Ighalo Has Done Great At Man United, Deserves New Contract
It was widely reported Luiz arrived in north London on a two-year deal, but according to Sky Sports News the agreement was only for an initial 12-month stay.
After last summer’s significant investment in the first-team squad, including the club-record signing of Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal are expected to restrict spending.
A lack of Champions League income and the global coronavirus pandemic are also factors.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is understood to be desperate to keep Luiz, as is the Gunners’ technical director Edu.
Luiz is also keen to stay at Arsenal and has told friends he wants to remain in London.
He has benefitted from Arteta’s appointment; despite having seven central defenders to choose from, the Spaniard has picked Luiz for 14 of the 15 games he’s managed to date.
However, earlier this month he gave a clue to the where his future may lie, telling Brazilian television network SporTV: “I always said that I would like to end my career at Benfica.
“I love Benfica. My dream is to step on the pitch of Estadio da Luz in their colours.”
Luiz played for the Portuguese club between 2007 and 2011.
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now