Luiz happy to stay with Chelsea after a tempting Barcelona's switch

06 September 2013 08:45

Chelsea defender David Luiz claims he rejected a summer move to Barcelona despite a charm offensive from his Brazil team-mates.

The 26-year-old revealed how Barca stars Neymar and Dani Alves tried to persuade him to accept a "formal offer" from the Primera Division club while the trio were together on international duty.

Luiz did not clarify whether Chelsea had accepted a bid but stressed the decision to remain at Stamford Bridge had ultimately been his own.

Quoted in The Sun, he said: "There was a formal offer from Barcelona but I decided to stay at Chelsea.

"Dani Alves and Neymar were sent to try to convince me to sign, but I was clear with them I was staying.

"It was not Chelsea's decision, it was mine."

Luiz joined Chelsea from Benfica for a reported 25million euro (£21miliion) fee in January 2011 and has since won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup with the London club.

Source: PA