Football Transfer Rumours - Barcelona to attempt shock Luiz capture from Chelsea

Barcelona are, reportedly, planning a shock raid on Chelsea centre-back David Luiz, just five months after the Brazilian made the move to London from Benefica.

A report in The Sun stated that Barca were on the verge of offering a £27.5million bid for the 24-year-old Brazilian as the Catalan skipper, Carles Puyol continues to battle a niggling knee injury, and could be bogged down during the season. The European champions need a steady centre-back and Luiz is believed to have impressed Barca manager Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea will be rocked by the news that Luiz is interested in the deal, though he admitted he would consider it only with the blessing of the Blues. Something which he is unlikely to get.

The report states that Guardiola has asked sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta to follow up on a meeting between Barca president Sandro Rosell and Luiz's agent Giuliano Bertolucci in Brazil.

Luiz became an immediate favourite at Chelsea since his arrival in January, with displays which endeared him to the Stamford Bridge faithful. In 12 games, he scored two goals for the club - his first being the equalizer in a 2-1 win over Manchester Untied in March, the second the winner against Fulham a couple of weeks later.

In a brief period, Luiz forged a central-defensive partnership with skipper John Terry, though he hasn't played since being substituted at half-time after a torrid display in the title-deciding game against Manchester United in April.