Chelsea and Liverpool on Alert over Urgent Barcelona Defender Search
Barcelona have renewed their interest in Chelsea's David Luiz and Liverpool's Daniel Agger with the confirmation that Carles Puyol will leave the Camp Nou at the end of the current season.
Barca's directors are already looking for a new partner for Gerard Pique at the back, and according to The Telegraph they are going to fight for Chelsea defender Luiz.
The Catalan club hope to conclude a deal quickly before the World Cup finals kick off in June, with Luiz an important figure in Brazil's squad. It is expected a bid of £24.7m will be lodged for the 26-year-old international.
Luiz, who joined Chelsea in January 2011 in a reported £21.5m deal from Benfica, had a successful season at Stamford Bridge under manager Rafael Benitez last campaign but since Jose Mourinho's arrival he has struggled to make a mark on the first team.
The Brazilian was targeted by the Catalans last summer but the Portuguese said firmly that the defender was not for sale. But now, Given Mourinho's recent spending spree - which yielded the signings of holding midfielder Nemanja Matic and central defender Kurt Zouma - Luiz may be available, and reports suggest he would be keen to join Barcelona.
But that is not all. Barca boss Tata Martino is also interested in a move for Liverpool centre-back Agger, according to Football Direct News.
Barcelona could reportedly sign Agger this summer as long as Liverpool receive something in return, the young talent Cristian Tello. Liverpool's interest in Tello is long; in each of the last two transfer windows they tried to secure his services, without success.
The Catalan youngster has long been tipped as one of the most prodigious talents to have La Masia, but he knows his chances to play are very remote.
Barca would have no problem with the swap as Agger has been top of their wanted list since they began their search for a defender.
The 29-year-old, who signed from Brondby in 2006 for £5.8m, has played 17 games and scored one goal this year.
Meanwhile Barcelona chief Andoni Zubizarreta was asked in an interview with Catalunya Radio about Puyol's decision to leave the club and he said: "He has asked me to rush with the new defender's arrival."
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