If David Luiz leaves... Chelsea will replace him by a £42m star!

Chelsea will reportedly move for Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala should Barcelona prove successful in their pursuit of David Luiz, having formalised their interest in the Brazilian.

Barcelona submitted an official offer for Luiz on Wednesday afternoon - reported to be in the region of £35 million - but Chelsea have no intention of accepting an offer of that size from the Primera Division champions.


This, however, has not prevented Chelsea from identifying a potential replacement for Luiz and, according to "The Telegraph", will seek out Mangala were they to lose the former to Barcelona.

Chelsea's interest in the France international is dependant on the future of Luiz, who they would not even consider allowing to leave Stamford Bridge unless Barcelona make an offer in excess of £50 million.

There is, however, a potential stumbling block for Chelsea with regards to the asking price set for Mangala, with Chelsea believing the 22-year-old centre-back is worth £42 million.

Chelsea are not in agreement with the Portuguese champions on this figure, and are not prepared to pay more than half of the figure quoted if they are to secure the signature of the player.

Mangala has made 53 appearances for Porto since his transfer from Standard Liege in the summer of 2011, and earned his first senior international appearance in France's defeat to Uruguay in June of this year.