Arsenal fail with opening bid for Chelsea defender

Arsenal have reportedly had a £17m knocked back from Chelsea for the services of Brazilian defender David Luiz.

The Brazil international endured a frustration 2017/18 campaign with the Blues where he managed just 15 appearances due to a nagging knee injury as well as a rift with manager Antonio Conte.

According to Le10Sport, the Gunners are said to have revived their interest in signing Luiz this summer after failing with a tentative enquiry for the Brazil in January.

It is added that that the club have already had an opening bid worth £17m rebuffed for the defender but they could potentially return with a renewed offer in the coming weeks.

Luiz currently has just a year left on his existing deal with the west London giants and he could yet play a fundamental role for the Blues, should Conte part ways with the club.

Conte has been tipped to be replaced since the close of the 2017/18 season but so far, Chelsea have found no success in finding a successor whilst the Italian remains reluctant to walk away without a compensation.