Arsenal wanted to sign Douglas Luiz and Steven Gerrard had to hold a deep conversation with him after a deadline day move failed to materialise.
The Gunners were targeting a winger after Nicolas Pepe’s exit but had to focus their attentions elsewhere ahead of the deadline.
Injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny left Arsenal a little short in midfield, so Edu tried to act.
Arsenal were linked with a number of midfielders before the deadline but Edu’s number one target became obvious.
Arsenal wanted to sign Douglas Luiz
The Gunners decided that Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz was the top target to come in on deadline day.
Mikel Arteta knew of him from the Manchester City setup, Edu was familiar with him as a fellow Brazilian and his contract situation – expiring 2023 – made Douglas Luiz a very attractive option.
Arsenal allegedly had a five-year deal ready and waiting for Douglas Luiz on deadline day but Aston Villa wouldn’t sell.
Bids of £20million, £23million and £25million were all rejected with Villa choosing to keep hold of the Brazilian ace.
That’s a gamble given that Douglas Luiz could just walk away from Villa for nothing next summer, and he is understood to have been keen on the move.
The Athletic now report that Villa boss Steven Gerrard had to have a ‘deep conversation’ with Douglas Luiz to re-focus his mind on Villa.
Arsenal allegedly ‘seriously appealed’ to Douglas Luiz, so seeing his big move blocked at the last minute will have been a major dent.
Gerrard had to step in and hold face-to-face talks with Douglas Luiz ahead of facing his former club City on Saturday evening.
Douglas Luiz played his part in Villa claiming a valiant 1-1 draw against Pep Guardiola’s side and Gerrard will now feel confident that he will be focused at least until January.
Whether Arsenal return with a new bid remains to be seen, but Douglas Luiz – hailed as ‘excellent’ by Philippe Coutinho – certainly won’t be short of suitors come 2023.
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