Benfica president confirms defender will stay at Arsenal

Benfica president Luis Felipe Vieira has ruled out the prospect of signing David Luiz this summer by citing that the defender is close to extending his stay at Arsenal.

The Brazil international recently suggested that he would like to finish his career at Benfica and there has since been the speculation that he could leave the Gunners at the end of the season.

Speaking to BTV, Vieira revealed that he has a close bond with Luiz. However, he added that the defender is in the progress of putting pen-to-paper on a new deal with the north London giants.

"We spoke again [on Sunday]. We have a father-son relationship. He was in a car with businessman, preparing to renew his contract with Arsenal. What he earns [with Arsenal] is unthinkable for Benfica to pay," He told.

Luiz signed for the Gunners from Chelsea on a one-year contract last summer with the option for another 12 months. The extension clause expired amid the coronavirus pandemic in April, but agent Kia Joorabchian has already confirmed that the defender wants to remain with the club for another season at the least.