Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has revealed that the club have held talks with defender David Luiz over signing a new contract.

The Brazilian’s current deal expires in the summer, but it seems the club are looking to prevent the player from leaving for nothing at the end of the season.

Asked about Luiz’s future following the 1-1 draw against Frankfurt in the Europa League, Sarri said:

“I don’t know on David Luiz, I know that he had a meeting four or five days ago, but then my mind was on this match. I didn’t ask him the result of it.”

Previous reports have indicated that a major issue surrounded Chelsea’s policy of only giving players over 30 a one-year contract extension.

However, there appear to be other considerations as well such as the club’s transfer ban which could prevent the club from signing a replacement if Luiz leaves.

Club captain Gary Cahill is already departing in the summer and losing Luiz would dramatically weaken the team’s defence, even when Kurt Zouma returns from his loan spell at Everton.

Another question mark centres around Sarri’s own future. Luiz has been a favourite of the Italian but that may change if the board choose to replace the manager at the end of the campaign.