Chelsea: Antonio Conte Makes Shock Deadline Day Move

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte at Vicarage Road Stadium, Watford, August 20. Conte may make a surprise move to bring David Luiz back to Stamford Bridge. Ian Kington/AFP/Getty

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte may be about to make the most surprising move of transfer deadline day, by bringing a fan favorite back to Stamford Bridge.

According to reports, the Italian has lined up a £30 million ($39.3 million) bid for David Luiz, the Paris Saint-Germain central defender.

Sky Sports claims talks are ongoing between Chelsea and PSG for the 29-year-old, who only left the London club in 2014 for what remains a world record fee for a defender.

Luiz cut a flamboyant figure during his three years at Chelsea, having signed from Portuguese club Benfica in 2011.

And Conte, who has made an impressive start to his tenure in west London, is in great need of a center back. Chelsea recently vetoed a move to allow Kurt Zouma a transfer to Schalke, while club legend John Terry is 35 and on a one-year deal.

Any deal for Luiz would have to be completed before the close of the summer transfer window, at 11 p.m. U.K. time on Wednesday.

About the writer


Sportswriter at Newsweek.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Unlimited access to Newsweek.com
  • Ad free Newsweek.com experience
  • iOS and Android app access
  • All newsletters + podcasts
Newsweek cover
  • Unlimited access to Newsweek.com
  • Ad free Newsweek.com experience
  • iOS and Android app access
  • All newsletters + podcasts