Roberto Di Matteo insists David Luiz is not leaving Chelsea for Barcelona

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has insisted that David Luiz is not for sale amid rumours linking the defender with a move to Barcelona.

The 25-year-old missed the Blues' 4-2 win over Reading on Wednesday with an injury but was in Catalunya the next day, sparking rumours of a switch to La Liga.

Talk of Luiz moving to Barcelona has intensified in recent days, with Premier League champions Manchester City said to have failed with a £30 million bid.

It turned out the centre-back was just in Spain to fulfil a commercial obligation for a sponsor, but Di  Matteo was quick to stress the importance of the Brazilian to the future of Chelsea.

The Italian coach to the Daily Telegraph: "David Luiz is part of our long-term future here. It's normal that he gets interest. It doesn't concern me. I think the player will be here in the long term.

"This club has been very, very successful in the past and I don't see why any player should want to leave us to go anywhere else.

"We always compete for trophies; we are a very ambitious club with an ambitious owner, a great group of players that over the years have won a lot but still have the hunger to win more.

"Competition is hot, we have great facilities, everything."

Chelsea currently sit top of the Premier League heading into this weekend's round of fixtures having played a game more than their rivals, but Di Matteo played down hopes of beating Manchester United and Manchester City to the title this season.

"We need to make up 25 points [from where we finished last season in relation to the Manchester pair] and I don't think any team has done that in the history of the Premier League," the former West Bromwich Albion boss pointed out.

"City haven't lost any key players. United had the same points and they have signed Robin van Persie. They are still the two teams you need to beat."