ARSENAL star David Luiz has been urged to re-join Benfica for a second stint by club legend Nuno Gomes.
The Brazilian defender, 33, spent four years at the club between 2007 and 2011 before joining Chelsea in a £21.5million deal.
Benfica legend Nuno Gomes has urged David Luiz to move back to Portugal on a free this summerCredit: Reuters
Gomes played alongside a young Luiz at Benfica for four years between 2007 and 2011Credit: AFP
Luiz is out of contract at the end of the season and will be available on a free transfer.
And Gomes – who played with Luiz at Benfica for four years – has pleaded with him to return home for one final spell.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League last-32 second-leg clash with Benfica, Gomes told Goal: “Let’s see what happens.
“I remember when he left Benfica he was very well adapted to Portugal in terms of his career on the pitch and his social life off the pitch.
“He was like a Portuguese already in terms of his way of life and culture.
“He struggled a little bit to leave because he was doing very well and was very well settled here.
“But the offer that he received he couldn’t refuse.
“He always said that one day he wanted to return. I don’t know if it will be possible or not, but I would love it to happen.”
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Luiz joined Benfica in 2007, aged just 19, before heading to Chelsea for £21.5m in 2011Credit: PA:Empics Sport
Just last summer Luiz confirmed he wanted to play for Benfica for a second time.
The Brazilian told Benfica’s official website: “I always said that I would like to end my career at Benfica.
“In football everything changes, what is true today, tomorrow is a lie, but my feeling is not.
“I love Benfica. My dream is to step on the pitch of Estadio da Luz in their colours.
“For all that I lived and felt, for what Benfica is in my life and in my history, for everything, Benfica is bigger than any player.”
Luiz has been able to negotiate pre-contract terms with European clubs since January, but is yet to commit his future to any team.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
