LONDON: French champions Paris St Germain have agreed terms with Chelsea to sign Brazil defender David Luiz, the clubs said on Friday.
“The move is now subject to David Luiz agreeing personal terms with PSG and passing a medical examination,” Premier League club Chelsea said on their website.
British media reported that the versatile 27-year-old would command a world record fee for a defender of between 40 million ($67.37 million) and 50 million pounds ($84.21 million).
That would surpass the 36 million pounds Qatari-backed PSG paid for Luiz’s Brazil team mate Thiago Silva in 2012 although neither club disclosed the financial terms of their agreement.
The easily recognisible Luiz, with his long and shaggy hair, joined Chelsea in January, 2011 from Benfica for about 21 million pounds and helped the west London side win the Champions League for the first time the following year.
Strong, energetic and armed with a powerful shot, Luiz likes to venture forward but can be somewhat erratic and prone to the odd defensive lapse.
He has made 143 appearances for Chelsea in 3-1/2 seasons at Stamford Bridge, scoring 12 goals.
PSG said in a statement that they hoped to reach a quick agreement with Luiz, who can also play as a defensive midfielder and is part of Brazil’s World Cup squad for the finals which start next month. (AFP)
