Transfer Centre

Antonio Conte unaware of any interest in defender David Luiz

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 19 December 2017

Conte unaware of any David Luiz interest

Antonio Conte says that he is uninterested in press reports regarding David Luiz, amid rumoured interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has insisted that he does not concern himself about speculation linking defender David Luiz with a Stamford Bridge exit.

The two men are rumoured to have fallen out in the wake of the Blues's 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League two months ago.

Luiz has not featured in the Premier League since then, with youngster Andreas Christensen instead preferred at the back, though the Brazil international is currently nursing a knee injury.

Real Madrid, Manchester United Arsenal and, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Newcastle United are all said to be keeping tabs on the situation ahead of the January transfer window.

Asked about the ongoing speculation, however, Conte told reporters: "I don't read it and I [therefore] solve the problem. I don't read so I don't have information about this topic. As a person I am very realistic, I like to tell the truth."

Luiz's only appearance since the defeat to Roma on October 31 was against FK Qarabag four weeks ago.