DAVID LUIZ wasn’t short on offers after he left Arsenal this summer.
The 34-year-old was wanted all across Europe with Real Madrid and a host of Premier League sides vying for his signature, Football Espana claim.
Madrid’s boss, Carlo Ancelotti, who briefly worked with the Brazilian when he was Chelsea boss, personally called Luiz to try and convince him to join Los Blancos, Espana reported.
But Ancelotti faced stiff competition from West Ham and Everton who also enquired about the centre-back.
Benfica, Lazio, Marseille and Lille were also interested in giving Luiz a contract.
The in-demand defender called time on his Gunners career after a two-year spell with the club at the end of last season.
Luiz revealed that he decided to part ways with Mikel Arteta’s side in a bid to win more trophies before his career finished, which he didn’t feel was possible at Arsenal.
Speaking after his departure, Luiz said: “Now, I think the club has a different project for the long term.
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“They have different ideas. My idea is to win, win, win as soon as possible.”
In the end Luiz opted to head back to his native Brazil and join the country’s Serie A champions Flamengo.
Luiz has signed a contract until December 2022, and will wear the No23 shirt.
He could soon be joined by ex-Barcelona star Dani Alves at the club.
Alves is looking for a new home after his Sao Paulo contract was terminated a few days ago, and Flamengo are eager to give him one, reports claim.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
