Valencia defender's move to Chelsea falls through after David Luiz confirmation -- report

Earlier today, when the David Luiz deal was not yet confirmed, Valencia center back Aymen Abdennour emerged as a potential transfer target for Chelsea.  The likes of the Telegraph and the Guardian were reporting that the Blues were in talks with the Spanish side over a loan, perhaps with an option to buy even, for the 27-year-old former Monaco man.

Later reports positioned this potential transfer as more of a backup option should the Luiz deal not materialize, with the Telegraph, for example, reporting that it's going to be one or the other but not both.  And since the one turns out to be David Luiz, Abdennour becomes the other.

#Chelsea are not signing him on loan after getting Luiz. #CFC https://t.co/KDYVXr929k

— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) August 31, 2016

The Tunisian international will instead stay at Valencia and compete for a starting spot against new arrival Eliaquim Mangala.  Abdennour was rated fairly well twelve months ago, but after a subpar season, he's got his work cut out for him.

Meanwhile, in the SW6, we're just waiting for official confirmation of David Luiz passing his medical and signing on the dotted line.  Less than two hours to go!