Barcelona and Real Madrid circling around Chelsea defender

Jose Mourinho is set to dispense with fan-favourite David Luiz as one of his first acts as Chelsea manager.

Reported interest form Real Madrid and Barcelona is thought to be high and, if either of the Spanish giants make a bid north of the £21m the Blues paid Benfica to land the Brazilian, they would give it serious consideration.

It’s easy to see how a central defender with an inclination to stride forward from the back and contribute to attacking phases might not sit well with the Portuguese, who is a massive advocate of traditional defensive values in his sides.

Luiz’ tendency to disregard his defensive responsibilities has left the Blues susceptible in the past, while he’s also prone to lapses in concentration, which has been a direct cause of goals conceded on more than one occasion.

However, Rafa Benitez has utilised the 26-year-old in more of a holding midfield role, which gives him more license to express himself in an attacking sense and this has been a key factor in the interim manager’s end-of-season success at Chelsea.

Spectacular goals, such as those scored against Fulham and Basle, were just some of the rewards reaped from playing Luiz in an advanced position, while few were performing better at the campaign’s climax than the Brazilian.

Immortalised in Chelsea folklore following his antics during his first spell in charge, Mourinho’s decision to axe Luiz would probably be forgiven by the Stamford Bridge faithful, but it would most certainly raise some eyebrows.

He’s expected to be granted a sizeable transfer budget upon his imminent return from Real in order to reshape the Blues back into title contenders.

It’s thought the Special One wants a new centre back, a central midfield player and a striker to make winning the Premier League crown a distinct possibility next term. As it stands, a price of 5/2 says they’ll do it.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date