TBR View: Everton should consider Ancelotti reunion, as Arsenal player reportedly set to leave

David Luiz could reportedly be about to leave Arsenal after it emerged that the Brazilian had only signed an initial 12-month deal with the Gunners last summer – and Everton have got to form a reunion between the defender and Carlo Ancelotti.

Back in January 2011, it was Ancelotti that decided to splash out £21.5million (Guardian) to lure Luiz to Chelsea from Benfica. Six months later, Ancelotti left Chelsea but Luiz had been a regular under the Italian.

Ancelotti is clearly still a fan of the 33-year-old centre-back, having tried to sign him during his time at Napoli in 2018, according to La Repubblica as per 90Min. Now, the chance of a reunion could be back on, this time at Everton.

That is because Sky Sports claim Luiz could be about to leave Arsenal. Signed by Unai Emery last summer from Chelsea following his second spell at Stamford Bridge, it was widely believed that Luiz had signed a two-year deal.

But the latest report claims Luiz only put pen to paper on an initial 12-month deal, and there are no talks to either extend that contract or activate a second season at The Emirates – meaning, as things stand, Luiz will leave Arsenal on June 30.

At Everton, Ancelotti needs central defenders. Both Kurt Zouma and Phil Jagielka left the club last summer and they were not replaced, leaving Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate as options – the latter of which has hardly been a regular.

Keane and Mina are often criticised for their defending while the versatile Jean-Philippe Gbamin has only just returned from a long-term injury. Another body at centre-back is ideal and Ancelotti will know that.

With Luiz leaving Arsenal in the coming weeks, then, surely Ancelotti has got to consider a move for Luiz – adding both Premier League know how and a winning mentality to a side that will be desperate to push for European football next term.

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