David Luiz has opened the door for an exit from Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of next season after revealing his retirement plans.
The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain man moved to the Emirates Stadium last summer, becoming an integral part of the side under both Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta.
33-year-old Luiz penned a two-year deal with the Gunners upon his arrival and that means he could leave on a free transfer next summer.
If that does occur, Luiz has made it clear that Benfica is the club where he wants to finish his career, which would bring things full circle after he started with the Portuguese club.
“I always said that I would like to end my career at Benfica. In football everything changes, what is true today, tomorrow is a lie, but my feeling is not!" He told Benfica's official website.
“I love Benfica. My dream is to step on the pitch of Estadio da Luz in their colours. For all that I lived and felt, for what Benfica is in my life and in my history, for everything, Benfica is bigger than any player.”
Luiz has established himself as an important leading figure in the Arsenal dressing room, with a number of younger players speaking about the impact he has had.
Arsenal's defence looks set for a significant overhaul in the next 12 months, with William Saliba set to return from his loan spell with St. Etienne for the 2020/21 season.
The Gunners are also eyeing defensive recruits, with RB Lerpzig's Dayot Upamecano and Athletic Bilbao's Unai Nunez among those being linked with a move to the club.
