Still no progress between Chelsea and Benfica

Talks between Chelsea and Benfica about David Luiz their 23-year-old Brazilian defender have stalled over the transfer fee. Luiz was Carlo Ancelotti’s main target this month, but now it is looking unlikely he will be arriving at Stamford Bridge after all.

Chelsea have already settled personal terms with the centre-half, reported to consist of £45,000 per week until 2015. However there is disagreement between the two clubs about how the transfer fee should be paid. Benfica want most of the transfer fee up front while Chelsea would prefer to pay in instalments.

Benfica president Luis Filipe Viera released a statement saying: “Negotiations between Benfica and Chelsea FC, with a view to the possible transfer of David Luiz, were concluded today without the parties having reached an agreement”.

Chelsea are still hoping the deal can go through using their Serbian midfielder, Nemanja Matic as a make-weight in the transfer.

However the ownership of the player is complicating the issue with the ownership being shared between Benfica and the Benfica Stars Fund which means that 25% of any transfer fee has to be paid back into the fund.