£44m Luiz Henrique has just ruled out joining Aston Villa or Arsenal this month

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Luiz Henrique is committing his immediate future to La Liga outfit Real Betis amid interest from Premier League trio Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Arsenal, via Estadio Deportivo. 

Over 20 years after Real Betis made Denilson the most expensive footballer in the history of the game, another silky, twinkle-toed Brazilian is proving to be far better value for money at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. 

If you were to rank La Liga’s best breakthrough stars during 2022/23, former Fluminense whizzkid Luiz Henrique would sit somewhere near the top. A tally of three goals and five assists does not quite do his impact justice; his searing pace and mind-melting skill from the right-hand side striking fear into the heart of left-backs from Madrid to Mallorca. 

Betis paid an initial £7 million for Henrique. In the space of six months, his value has soared to somewhere within the region of £44 million.

Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Arsenal like Luiz Henrique

ABC de Sevilla report that Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle have been keeping tabs on the dazzling 22-year-old, while Aston Villa have turned to Henrique after seeing a reported £45 million bid for Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams rejected (Daily Mail). 

Fortunately for Real Betis, Henrique is in no rush. He is under contract until 2028, and fully focused on helping Los Verdiblancos secure successive top-six finishes. 

“Yes, yes, I’m very good here,” Henrique told expectant Betis supporters when asked if he plans to stay put for the time being.

Aston Villa coach Unai Emery – who knows Henrique from his time at Villarreal – is still hoping to bring in a new winger before next week’s transfer deadline. Villa were linked with Arnaut Danjuma before his shock move to Tottenham Hotspur, while the agent of Spain international Gerard Deulofeu has confirmed interest from the Midland giants. 

“I think he will be a really important player for us,” former Manchester City and Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini says of Henrique. “He has one-v-one (ability) and good skills. 

“He is a very young player, and it’s not easy to come directly from Brazil to Europe. A lot of players need some time to adapt to the way they must play here. But I think Luiz Henrique is on the correct path to being a successful player here in Europe.”