When David Luiz joined Arsenal from Chelsea last summer in a £8 million deal, it was widely assumed that the Brazilian had signed a two year deal at the Emirates.
However, the 33 year’s stay in North London is now in considerable doubt after it was revealed that he had only signed a one year deal, with an option for a further 12 months, and his current contract ends on June 30th.
Now Arsenal may decide not to exercise that option because of the financial implications of the Covid-19 pandemic, as they look to trim their wage bill.
Last month Arsenal became the first, and, to date, only Premier League club where the majority of its players and staff agreed to a permanent wage cut in response to the crisis, and, with Luiz amongst the top earners at the club and coming towards the end of his career anyway, now may be the time to let him go in order to free up money that can be used elsewhere.
Despite that, like many other professionals in his position, ne is expected to sign a short-term extension which will allow him to complete the season with the Gunners.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.