Arsenal remain in the hunt for a new midfielder before Monday’s transfer deadline – and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz appears to be a target.
The Gunners have spent much of the January transfer window chasing a deal for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo.
Yet as reported by The Athletic, it looks like Arthur won’t be joining Arsenal in the coming days.
Arsenal could now turn their attention to different Brazilian midfielder, with Villa star Luiz believed to be targeted.
The London Evening Standard report that Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Luiz and could launch a move before the deadline.
Arteta was at Manchester City when Luiz was owned by Pep Guardiola’s side and seemingly hasn’t forgotten the midfielder.
It’s understood that Villa have already rejected a £30million bid from an unnamed Premier League club, which isn’t Arsenal.
Still, with Arthur unlikely to join and Arsenal still crying out for a midfielder, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Gunners make a bid.
Birmingham Live’s Aston Villa correspondent Ashley Preece has now commented on the situation whilst speaking to The Arsenal Way.
Preece suggested that Arsenal ‘could come on strong’ for Luis because Edu knows the midfielder really well and seems just as enamoured as Arteta.
Preece noted, as quoted by Football London, that Luiz is actually available because he won’t sign a new contract – and Steven Gerrard knows it.
That leaves Arsenal in a potentially strong position, with Preece believing he could form a superb partnership with Thomas Partey in midfield – if Edu and Arsenal pull the trigger on a deal.
“I get the feeling given Arsenal’s keenness, Edu likes Douglas Luiz, knows him really well – I think Arsenal could come on strong as we enter the last few days of the window. It depends if Villa want to cash in,” said Preece. “Douglas is a bit of an enigma amongst the Villa fans. I like him, he’s a very classy footballer who would do well at Arsenal.”
“So there’s interest in Douglas, it all depends on if the Gunners step it up and go in hard to get him. He’s available, 17 months on his deal and he won’t sign a new one, Gerrard told me last week. The ball’s in Arsenal’s court if they come in with an offer. I’d be sad to see him go if he does leave because I’ve been told he’s settled in Birmingham.”
“He’s 23, he’s got a lot to give. His ceiling is so high. He’s a Champions League pedigree performer, he can easily do that job so it all depends on if he can fit in with Thomas Partey. Partey and Douglas, looking at it, it looks quite well.”
“We haven’t seen him in a number eight role too much because he’s had to fill in as a 6 to cover injuries, but when he has played as an eight he’s looked devastating at times. When we first bought him he was rattling goals in from 25 yards. He’s got three assists this season mainly from corners, very good technically and he rarely loses the ball. He’s good in tight situations, he’s very good.”
“I was told last summer Roma were very keen on him and he was close to joining them. It’s clear that Edu likes Douglas Luiz, he knows him well from the Brazilian setup, that’s clear as day so it all depends on if Villa want to shake hands with Arsenal,” he added.
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