Papers: €25m Luiz bid

A continuation of a pre-existing rumour in today's papers: a bid for Benfica's Brazilian defender David Luiz. Jason Burt writes in the Telegraph that we are to bid €25m (£21.5m), to steal him away from the also-interested Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona. There's a multi-author story in the Daily Mail saying that our offer is £25million.

We've heard this one a few weeks ago. It certainly fits with what I'm calling the 'Boateng plan' (but which could also be dubbed the 'Adam Johnson plan') - he is the right age, at 23, with a successful record in club football to date, European experience and the hunger and ambition to do something special at City; a safer bet than relying on players with names already made.

And David Luiz would be a good fit at City too. Even with Jérôme Boateng we could well go for another defender, given Luiz's ability to play left-back - he could well be first choice there - and the fact that Boateng and Kompany could themselves be needed in other positions. Plus Luiz is a good player. I've seen him a few times this season for Benfica and while I've only really had eyes for Ángel Di María, Luiz has looked quick, powerful and composed. Tor-Kristian Karlsen, scout and transfer expert, certainly rates him. He has written on Twitter that Luiz is 'the player to buy' from Benfica, as he's ready for the EPL. Since then he has written that Luiz is:

better in the centre, but does a good job at left-back despite being right footed. the main attraction are the playing skills.

And:

amazing coup by man city if they land david luiz. wonderful def; elegant, xlnt on the ball, pacey, versatile, commanding. he's got it all

And then on a Luiz/Boateng comparison:

boateng more of a classical 'stopper', david more classy and refined. good signings.

They both sound very good. Let's hope we see one or both at City soon.