Over the last week or so, all the buzz has been about defender David Luiz and the fact that he is set to be a free agent this summer.
Reports have revealed that Arsenal had only agreed on a one-year deal with the central defender and now Mikel Arteta is not too enthusiastic about handing the Brazilian an extension.
This report has come as a shock to a lot of people but now Luiz’s agent, Kia Joorabchian has revealed that the 33-year-old could remain at the Emirates beyond the summer.
“He’s very happy at Arsenal,” Joorabchian told Sky Sports. “He has an extremely good relationship with both the coach and the sporting director. He has good relationships all throughout the club, right up to the owner. He respects everybody.
“These contract situations, these renewals, if he stays or if he goes… will all sort themselves out when we get back to some kind of ‘new’ normal [after coronavirus].
“David will sit down with Arsenal before the season begins, have his conversations and they will both decide if he will stay or not. That will come before the season starts. The chances are very high [of Luiz being at Arsenal next season].
“There is no desire to leave. But again, we are going to live in a ‘new’ normal, we will have to see what Arsenal’s position will be. But I believe there is a wish from both sides to continue.”
Will David Luiz remain at Arsenal?
Benfica are being touted as the favourites to land David Luiz in case he leaves Arsenal and ex-Benfica man Ricardo Gomes has even backed him to make a comeback.
He told O Jogo: “David had a great time at Benfica and is a great player. It is a good request, but nowadays, the numbers are different and I do not know if Benfica would cover his salary.
“He is much more experienced, he has gained a load of important experience.
“Benfica has a great defence and centrals trained at home who have a good relationship. David can be a good complement to that youth, depending always on the choice of the coach, who is very good.”
Surely the Benfica fans will love to see David Luiz play the final phase of his career at their club but we do not think Mikel Arteta will be ready to part ways with the defender so soon.
Yes, he has been really average so far this season but in case he leaves, the Arsenal boss will be stuck with a bunch of youngsters and some senior defenders who are next to worthless.
So, we are pretty confident, Arteta will keep David Luiz for at least one more season so that he can use his experience inside the dressing room and also on the pitch during those tough Thursday night fixtures in Europe.
