David Luiz mum on Barcelona rumours

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil and Chelsea defender David Luiz has declined to comment on rumours of his possible transfer to Spanish football giants Barcelona after his arrival in Basel for a friendly between Switzerland and Brazil.

Barcelona, after recruiting young Brazilian forward Neymar in June, now wants the Chelsea defender and is willing to pay the British club as much as €35 million (Dh170, 939) for him, reports Xinhua.

“Here, I will only talk about the Brazilian lineup,” the defender told sports news website GloboEsporte. “It was the way during the Confederations Cup (hosted and won by Brazil in June) and it’s going to be the same way now.”

About Brazil’s first, friendly match since winning the Confederations Cup, the defender said it will be “very difficult” for the Brazilians who play for European clubs, since they are just entering the playing season following the summer break.

“It will be a very difficult game against players who have already begun to dispute the championship and their legs are more warmed up. And it will be even more difficult for us, who are just beginning (the season). But we came with joy and happiness,” he said.

Meanwhile, Luiz’ fellow Brazilian, striker Alexandre Pato, has called for more time to re-adapt to Brazilian football, vowing to return to the prolific goalscoring form of his early days at AC Milan.

The 23-year-old has scored just 11 goals from 35 matches for Corinthians since his 15-million-euro move from the Rossoneri in January, reports Xinhua.

After netting in Corinthians’ 2-0 victory over Vitoria in the Campeonato Brasileiro Sunday, the Brazil international urged coach Tite to give more faith to him.

“Little by little we are working better together as a team,” said Pato, who has often been used by Tite as a second striker alongside Peru forward Paolo Guerrero.

“I am trying to play the way the team does and my teammates are also trying to adapt to my game.

“I like long passes because I can use my pace. But when needed I can play as a centre-forward and hold the ball up too.”

Pato, who scored 63 goals in 150 appearances for Milan, managed just 25 matches in his final two seasons at the San Siro due to injuries.