Chelsea are ready to offer David Luiz a new contract and want a talented defender to join him at Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window.
Brazil international Luiz has endured a mixed time since returning to Chelsea in 2014 from Paris Saint-Germain.
He played an instrumental role in helping Chelsea win the Premier League title two years ago but was then frozen out by Antonio Conte.
Luiz has admitted that he would likely have left Stamford Bridge had Conte stayed, but he has been able to resurrect his Chelsea career under new manager Maurizio Sarri.
The 31-year-old has featured in all seven of Chelsea’s Premier League fixtures this term, helping the Blues go unbeaten through the months of August and September.
And, according to the Evening Standard, Chelsea are now set to open talks with Luiz over a new contract, with his current deal set to expire next summer.
It is claimed Sarri also hopes to sign a younger defender in January to bolster his defensive options, with Gary Cahill set to leave the club after six years.
Sarri wanted Chelsea to bring a young centre back to the Bridge during the summer but the club missed out on Daniele Rugani.
Speaking after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at the weekend, Luiz suggested he would be more than happy to sign a new deal in west London to continue his relationship with Sarri.
‘In the first week I spoke with him. I said to him that “I am going to work hard to show you I want to play in your team, with your philosophy”,’ he said.
‘I had two offers from different clubs but I told Chelsea I wanted to stay. Would I have gone if Conte stayed? For sure.
‘But they changed for Sarri and I have tried to convince Sarri I want to stay at Chelsea. I am playing now and enjoying it. I didn’t play (for most of) the last six months (under Conte).
‘Sarri is human, he wants us to take pleasure in playing football. He said every day we have to enjoy it.’
Former Napoli boss Sarri, meanwhile, has heaped praise on Luiz this season and admits he is a ‘better’ player than he first thought.
‘When I arrived here, immediately I had the feeling he’s a very good player for my way of football because he’s a centre-back who is very technical,’ he said.
‘Then I appreciate his qualities as a man. He’s really better than I thought before.’