Buy, buy Manchester City: Money men swoop for David Luiz as Villa fight to keep James Milner
Manchester City flexed their muscles again on Monday when they opened negotiations to take brilliant Brazilian David Luiz from under the noses of Real Madrid in a £25million swoop.
The left-sided Benfica defender - who can also play as a defensive midfielder - had been expected to move to Spain until City moved swiftly with an ambush bid to beat Real to his signature.
It comes 24 hours after they began their £24m raid for James Milner - although Aston Villa's American owner Randy Lerner is determined to resist any attempts by City to lure his highly rated player.
The billionaire said: 'I'm not worried about losing James Milner. I think James will play for Aston Villa and should play for Aston Villa.
'I'm not dismissive of the realities that a player that has received the attention and acclaim of James is going to spark discussion and debate about a move and so on. The answer is "No", I don't worry about him leaving because he is wanted at this club."
It could be that Manchester City include England Under 21 defender Nedum Onuoha in their proposed offer for Milner. As they look to wheel and deal in the market this summer, Luiz is among their top targets.
Manager Roberto Mancini has watched him several times this season - notably when he impressed at left back for Benfica against Liverpool in the Europa League quarter-finals - and believes the all-action player is worth the investment.
Luiz, 23, has also been watched by Chelsea and Manchester United, but City are the first to come close to Benfica's valuation and the player is keen on the move. The 6ft 2in defender was a pivotal figure in his side's resurgence last season and helped them to the Portuguese title.
Benfica still hope to drive the figure close to his buy-out clause of £43m but the player and his representatives are confident a reasonable compromise can be reached and City's £25m will be sufficient.
Dailymail.com 18 de Maio de 2010 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1279228/Manchester-City-swoop-David-Luiz-James-Milner.html
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12:52 - Futebol - Benfica Manchester City oferece 30 milhões por David LuizSegundo noticia hoje o jornal inglês ‘Daily Mail’, o Manchester City também está interessado em David Luiz. O clube inglês quer ser mais rápido que o Real Madrid e fechar o acordo pelo defesa do Benfica, num valor a rondar os 30 milhões de euros, verba distante da cláusula de rescisão do jogador que é de 50 milhões de euros.
O ‘Daily Mail’ diz ainda que Robert Mancini, o treinador do City, observou o defesa em vários momentos, tendo ficado especialmente impressionado com a polivalência do jogador na partida do Benfica frente ao Liverpool. Mancini acredita que David Luiz vale o grande investimento que o City terá de realizar para conseguir a transferência do jogador.
O jornal inglês recorda que também o Chelsea e o Manchester United estão interessados em David Luiz.
O Jogo on-line 18 de Maio de 2010Manchester City dá 30 milhões por David Luiz"DAILY MAIL" NOTICIA INTERESSE NO CENTRAL DO BENFICAO Manchester City quer vencer o Real Madrid na corrida pelo central do Benfica David Luiz e, segundo noticia o "Daily Mail" esta terça-feira, tenciona fechar o acordo por uma verba a rondar os 30 milhões de euros, valor, no entanto, distante da cláusula da rescisão de rescisão do jogador, que é de 50 milhões de euros.
De acordo com o jornal inglês, o treinador do City, Roberto Mancini, observou várias vezes o defesa brasileiro esta temporada e ficou impressionado com as qualidades do jogador, nomeadamente pela sua polivalência, uma vez que também desempenha bem as funções de lateral-esquerdo e médio defensivo.
O "Daily Mail" recorda ainda que Chelsea e Manchester United também estão interessados no jogador.
Record 18 de Maio de 2010
