One of Barcelona's goals during the current transfer window was to bolster its defensive unit.
While the club's defensive play last season wasn't terrible with players like Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique and Dani Alves leading the position, the club felt a boost would be needed in order to capture multiple trophies during the 2013-2014 campaign.
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According to Goal.com, Barcelona remains on the trail of Chelsea defender David Luiz.
The club's opening bid of £21.5 million was too low for Chelsea to entertain and since Barca is still intent on reeling in one of the top defensive players in soccer, the asking price has risen to £43 million although Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho doesn't expect anything to happen.
"If they need a central defender my advice is that they have to go to the second name they have in the list because they are wasting their time," Mourinho said recently.
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Mourinho's stance on wanting to retain Luiz has been well-documented since multiple players -- including Barca's Dani Alves -- fell that Luiz will never come to Camp Nou because Jose Mourinho would never allow it.
"I always want the best for my friends and I tell them to come here if they can," Alves said to ESPN FC. "As well as that, he is a great player. The problem is not whether he wants to come, but that in the end you have to get away from Mourinho and that is not going to be easy.
"The idea of facilitating David Luiz coming to Barca would not pass through his head," Alves continued. "And even less if it is to strengthen us. It is more that difficult for us, almost impossible."
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Despite Mourinho's stance on the defender, Luiz expressed his desire to depart Chelsea for Camp Nou according to Daily Mail.
Luiz voicing his intent to leave Chelsea after three seasons could make it easier for Barcelona to snatch the Brazilian star and even though Barcelona's reported offer of £31 million falls significantly short of Chelsea's asking price, a move could be made since Jose Mourinho won't want to deal with a potentially disgruntled player.
Chelsea begins the regular season on August 18 with a home match against Hull City.
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