体坛英语新闻：David Luiz remains mum on Barcelona rumors

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian defender David Luiz, who plays for Chelsea, declined to comment on rumors of his possible transfer to Spanish team Barcelona Monday, as he arrived in Basel for a friendly match between the Switzerland and Brazil.

Barcelona, after recruiting young Brazilian forward Neymar in June, now wants the Chelsea defender and is willing to pay the British club as much as 35 million euros (or 42 million U.S. dollars) for him, according to Spanish media.

"Here, I will only talk about the Brazilian lineup," the defender told sports news website GloboEsporte. "It was the way during the Confederations Cup (hosted and won by Brazil in June) and it's going to be the same way now."

About Brazil's first friendly match since winning the Confederations Cup, the defender said it will be "very difficult" for the Brazilians who play for European clubs, since they are just entering the playing season following summer vacation.

"It will be a very difficult game against players who have already begun to dispute the championship and their legs are more warmed up. And it will be even more difficult for us, who are just beginning (the season). But we came with joy and happiness," he said.