Chelsea centre-back David Luiz has said that he is confident of signing a new contract with the club. The Brazilian’s current deal expires at the end of the season.

The Blues usually only offer players over 30 a one-year extension but the 31-year-old says he is very hopeful that he will be at the club next season:

“I think so. We are talking with the club. Everybody knows I love this club, I feel comfortable here and am happy here. I am doing my job very well so I think a lot is going to happen.”

Luiz has been a regular starter under Maurizio Sarri this season. He had been a bit-part player during Antonio Conte’s last season in charge both due to injury and a reported falling out with his former boss.

Chelsea’s two-window transfer ban will likely be a significant factor in keeping certain players this summer.

With captain Gary Cahill still likely to depart after being frozen out by Sarri, the need to keep Luiz is greater with no means of replacing the England international.

It could see the club using Ethan Ampadu as the fourth choice centre-back with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen the other two first-team options.