David Luiz boost for Chelsea as Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid are priced out of race for Benfica star

By Sportsmail Reporter

Jose Mourinho has cleared the path for Chelsea to sign David Luiz by signalling that the Benfica star is too expensive for Real Madrid.



The Bernabeu boss made Luiz one of his primary targets when taking over from Manuel Pellegrini at the end of last season, but a spiralling price tag has put off the Spanish giants.

Cough up: Benfica defender Luiz will cost Chelsea more than £30m

Mourinho has instead opened talks with AC Milan defender Thiago Silva, who has also long been a target for Chelsea.



And the boss is ready to raid his former club for Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho.

Brazil international Silva, 25, has been tipped for a £21million move to La Liga and his agent Paulo Tonietto said: 'First of all, Thiago Silva is very happy at Milan. But there is interest from Real Madrid, who are dealing directly with Milan.



'A Madrid manager came to ask about the situation of Thiago, and I told him that apart from being flattered by the interest of a team like Real, he has a contract until 2013 and is at ease in Italy.



'I do not know if Milan will accept, it does not depend on me or Thiago. It's a deal that is developing between the two presidents.'



Chelsea are preparing a new £27m bid for Luiz, though Benfica are demanding more than £30m for 23-year-old and hope Manchester City will re-enter the race.



Mourinho is a confirmed admirer of the versatile defender, who is in line to make his full Brazil debut next month, but the Portuguese said: 'I like him a lot, but he won't come to Madrid this year.



'It will be very difficult for him to leave. I'm not thinking about him at all this year. There was some contact, but the price is prohibitive.



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'After what was invested in Madrid last year, we won't spend as much now.'

Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has tipped Luiz to shine in the Barclays Premier League.

Bruce, whose side were beaten 2-0 by Benfica on Tuesday, said of Luiz: 'He is a good footballer with pride, fight and quality. This type of footballer is wanted in England because his style is very English.

'It doesn't surprise me that Chelsea and Manchester City are interested because David Luiz is a footballer capable of playing for the best teams in the world.



'He is a leader and I believe he would do very well in the Premier League.'









