Lazio are still reluctant to sign David Luiz on a free transfer following his release by Arsenal earlier this year, despite the defender attracting interest from Brazil, per Alfredo Pedulla.
Arsenal elected against offering Luiz a new contract before his £100,000-per-week terms expired in June. The centre-half spent two years at the Emirates Stadium following an £8m move from Chelsea in 2019. He made 73 appearances for the club across all competitions.
Mikel Arteta has since replaced Luiz with former Brighton and Hove Albion star Ben White in a £50m deal. The Gunners were without the England international against Chelsea and Manchester City after he tested positive for coronavirus, however.
Luiz has attracted interest from his native Brazil since leaving Arsenal, with ESPN reporting Flamengo as a destination since mid-May. The 57-cap international saw a move to the Rio side in good light earlier this summer, too. But has not, yet, signed for the Maracana outfit.
Pedulla claims Luiz still has offers on the table to return to Brazil, 14-years since last playing in the country. The 34-year-old is likely to make a decision on his future in the coming days, although Lazio is unlikely to be his end destination.
Biancocelesti manager Maurizio Sarri admires what the centre-back can offer at the Stadio Olimpico as a free agent. But the Lazio hierarchy have less of an appetite for Luiz, despite monitoring his situation since leaving Arsenal this summer.
The Serie A side first showed an interest in signing the one-time Champions League winner with Chelsea in mid-July. However, his request for a large financial package to join on a free transfer has proven to be problematic. Thus, Lazio remain looking for an alternative to sign.
Should Arsenal regret letting Luiz leave, amid interest from Lazio?
Arsenal are unlikely to regret letting Luiz leave north London, despite Sarri wanting him at Lazio, plus interest from Brazil. The defender offered the Gunners a stop-gap solution to their defensive issues in 2019/20, and was retained for last season.
Now, Arteta is starting to move the Emirates Stadium outfit on from the veteran enforcer with White. But the Spaniard may wish he had another with Luiz’s experience after relying on Calum Chambers and Rob Holding, during what has been a tough start to the season.
Arteta lauded Luiz during the potential last-ditch Lazio signing’s time at Arsenal. He said, via AS: “He’s a player with an incredible talent and a proven performance level in this league.”
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