LONDON: Chelsea have rejected champions Manchester City's £30million bid for Brazil international defender David Luiz, claimed The Sun.

City manager Roberto Mancini needs defensive cover with Micah Richards crocked for 10 weeks.

Luiz (pic) was axed from this morning's 4-2 win over Reading at Stamford Bridge while Chelsea and City tried to thrash out a deal - though the centerback claimed on Twitter he has a knee injury.

Chelsea were angered by the Tweet and Luiz has been fined.

“This social media thing is all around us now. We’ll deal with it internally,” said Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo.

But Luiz is still a big part of Di Matteo’s plans and City will need to significantly up their offer to prise him away.

Flamboyant Luiz, 25, arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £21m deal from Benfica in January 2011 and became an instant hit with the fans.

- mD