David Luiz about to sign new Arsenal contract, confirms Benfica president with £130k-a-week star set to take pay cut
DAVID LUIZ is in the process of signing a new Arsenal deal, revealed Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira.
The defender has been linked with a move away from the Gunners as his current contract is set to expire at the end of the month.
Luiz fuelled speculation surrounding a summer switch as he admitted he has held talks with former club Benfica.
But Vieira has confirmed the Primeira Liga side cannot afford to re-sign the former Chelsea man.
And he revealed Luiz was with his agent thrashing out a new Arsenal deal when they spoke this week.
Speaking to Record, Vieira said: "I spoke to him again yesterday. We have a father-to-son relationship.
"He was in the car with his agent, preparing to renew his contract with Arsenal.
"He is someone who loves Benfica, but there is something else he is: he is a great professional and has to earn money.
"What he earns is unthinkable for Benfica to pay.
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"If David Luiz comes to a day when he says, ''I want to leave here', if he's 35 years old, in perfect condition, we will take David Luiz of course.
"If he came, it would have to be for a million, but as a father, I would say 'No, David, you're not coming, don't be crazy, you have to make money!'
"When the football is over, nobody goes after him. If he came today, he would have to come under these conditions, otherwise, he could not come."
Luiz rakes in £130,00 per week at Arsenal and he has cost the club as much as £24million in a single season.
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Luiz's agent has admitted he has no plans to leave Arsenal - but it is understood that he could have to take a pay-cut.
Like the majority of clubs across the world, Arsenal have been left strapped for cash following the coronavirus.
As a result, The Mirror claim the Gunners could cut Luiz's wages and offer him a deal based on his amount of appearances.