According to reports in the Sunday Mirror, Chelsea are ready to sell David Luiz during the January transfer window, with Juventus the favourites to sign the £23m-rated Brazil international.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Sunday Mirror says that having fallen out with Blues boss Antonio Conte, the 30-year-old is ready to leave the Premier League holders for the second time in four years in January.

The Sunday Mirror says that the central defender was dropped by the Italian after the pair exchanged words following 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League in October, and he has barely featured since because of that incident and the fact that he currently has a knee injury.

The report adds that Juve are the frontrunners to land the £23m-rated centre-half, but former boss Jose Mourinho may also be interested in bringing him to Old Trafford as he looks to find cover for the injured Eric Bailly.

How has Luiz performed this season?

While the 30-year-old was one of the stars as Chelsea won the Premier League title last season, he struggled in the early stages of the current campaign.

The 3-2 defeat to Burnley at the Stamford Bridge on the opening day was disappointing, while the Brazilian also received a red card in the draw against Arsenal in September.

Luiz certainly didn't have his finest hour in that 3-0 loss to Roma, and whatever happened with Conte afterwards looks to have potentially brought an abrupt end to his second spell with the Blues.

Would they be right to sell him in January?

Considering they have Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta – as well as Kurt Zouma out on loan – in their ranks, they certainly aren't short at centre-back even if Conte does play with three central defenders.

While Luiz was impressive last term, he has largely never been really impressive and consistent from a defensive point of view, and the Italian boss may feel that he can easily buy an upgrade if the Brazilian goes.

That said, Christensen has more than stepped up to the plate this term and the Blues may prefer to give the 21-year-old regular first-team minutes, rather than Luiz who will turn 31 in April.

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