Arsenal have agreed a £7 million fee with London rivals, Chelsea, to sign Brazilian defender David Luiz.

Unai Emery has been chasing a central defender all summer and looks to have finally got one in the door with Luiz moving from Stamford Bridge to north London.

The Gunners will pay £7 million for Luiz, who will sign a two-year deal. Agreeing personal terms should be a formality and, barring any unexpected hitches, he should become an Arsenal player today.

Luiz missed first-team training on Wednesday as the Chelsea defender attempted to force through a shock move to the Gunners on deadline day.

Sportsmail understands Luiz has been an increasingly disruptive figure at the club’s Cobham HQ in recent days, culminating in Wednesday’s surprise development.

The Brazil defender, it is understood, did report for training but was not involved in the senior set-up casting doubt over his position at the club.

Sources suggest the decision for Luiz not to train with Frank Lampard’s was mutual – but there were differing views from other insiders on Wednesday night who feel his omission was part of a wider plan from the defender to force through a move to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have been desperately chasing a new defender throughout the summer transfer window and the need for reinforcements was exacerbated by the departure of Laurent Koscielny. 

Arsenal have held also held talks with Red Bull Leipzig for Dayot Upamecano and were said to be interested in Daniele Rugani from Juventus.

It comes after Koscielny got his wish of a return to France when Arsenal secured the fee they were demanding after Bordeaux stumped up £4.6 million to sign the defender.

Koscielny’s move to Bordeaux was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon following a bitter end to his Arsenal career. 

Meanwhile, Arsenal are expected to complete their £25 million swoop for Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney before Thursday’s deadline.

The Scotland international is due to arrive in London later on Thursday to sign a five-year deal.