Chelsea Chase Troubled Real Madrid Star - Report

There are reports from Spain that suggest the 26 year old former Sevilla defender is at odds with manager Jose Mourinho and was deliberately excluded from the match squad for Madrid's 3-2 win over Manchester City in the Champions League. Mourinho was quick to dismiss those reports, however, and claimed the decision was purely tactical.

Ramos, a key member of the Spanish international team, joined Madrid when he was 19 years old in a £22m deal (Spanish record for a teenager) and has made over 200 appearances for the club since then, filling in admirably at centre back or right back.

However, if he is indeed unhappy with life in the Spanish capital, it could be that Madrid chiefs will allow the defender to leave. A January transfer has not been ruled out but that may not be in the Spanish club's best interests, as that would leave them low on central defenders, a position they are already facing problems filling, during a period most clubs are unlikely to sell.

Madrid do have French youngster Raphael Varane and it was the 19 year old who filled in for Ramos, impressively so, against City but will want experienced campaigners to partner Portuguese international Pepe in the centre of defence for the big games.

Sergio Ramos has previously been linked with moves away from the Bernabeu, most often to AC Milan. The Rossoneri were reportedly lining him up as long-term replacement for club legend Paolo Maldini, early last year. At that time too, incidentally, the reports suggested Ramos was unhappy at Madrid and wanted to move away, meaning the present link to Chelsea may not be a concrete one.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, who were beaten to Brazilian right back Maicon by English champions City, will eye either Ramos or another experienced defender as they seek to staunch the flow of goals that began with the 1-4 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup final. Their defensive frailties were most recently exposed by Italian champions Juventus, who came back from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 in the opening game of the group stages of this season's Champions League.

Brazilian Signs Five Year Deal

Meanwhile, a statement on the Blues' Web site reads: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce David Luiz has today (Saturday) signed a new five-year contract."

A Telegraph report suggests the 25 year old Brazilian, who transferred to Stamford Bridge from Portuguese side Benfica in 2011 (for a fee of £21m) will now be paid £120,000 per week.

The new contract was offered as a result of continued interest in the player from Spanish side Barcelona, who were reportedly ready with a bid of £30m for the Brazilian this summer. However, neither Luiz nor Blues' manager Roberto Di Matteo were concerned about the bid at the time, with the latter claiming he would not be bullied into selling his players.

"I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea. It is a great club and I look forward to winning more trophies here. I want to play for a long time at the top level - which is what playing for Chelsea means. I love everything about the club and especially the fans, who have made me very welcome and given me great support," Luiz told Chelsea's official Web site.