David Luiz 'was wanted by Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti' after departing Arsenal over the summer - but red tape scuppered the move.
Ancelotti feared the Bernabeu club would be light in defence following the departures of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United respectively.
Although Real had brought in David Alaba following the expiry of his Bayern Munich contract, their new manager reportedly felt one more centre-back was necessary.
According to the Brazilian newspaper Globo, Ancelotti called Luiz, who would have been available for nothing after his Arsenal contract ran down.