According to Sky Sports, Aston Villa are now considering a fresh bid from Arsenal for Douglas Luiz after securing the signing of Leander Dendoncker.
What’s the story?
Well, the Villans have already rejected two bids from the Gunners for the Brazil international today.
Arsenal’s first offer was said to be worth £20m before the north Londoners raised that to £23m following an initial rejection.
That bid was also rebuffed, but after Aston Villa completed the £12m signing of Dendoncker from Wolves, it seems as if Steven Gerrard may now be willing to let Douglas Luiz depart Villa Park.
Sky Sports believe Arsenal’s latest offer is worth a total of £25m. It is still a guaranteed £23m for Aston Villa, but it now includes add-ons worth £2m.
Douglas Luiz is said to be desperate to move to the Emirates Stadium, where he scored directly from a corner in Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
The South American has already entered the final 12 months of his contract at Villa Park, and does not seem to be in favour under Gerrard at the moment.
Douglas Luiz has made just one start in the Premier League so far this season.
Arsenal need Douglas Luiz
Time is running out, but Arsenal have to get this deal completed – even if it takes offering another million or two.
Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are currently injured, which makes Mikel Arteta’s midfield department even thinner than it already was.
Of course, a deal in excess of £25m for a player who will be available for free next year is a lot, but Arsenal have started the season in fantastic form with five wins from five Premier League games.
The last thing Arteta needs is for the Gunners to lose their momentum due to a midfield crisis, and there are certainly worse options than Douglas Luiz – a man with over 100 Premier League appearances to his name.
Keep an eye on this situation, as Arsenal do not have much time left to complete a deal.
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