Fabrizio Romano insists that Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz remains Arsenal’s ‘dream’ midfield target despite suggestions that Mikel Arteta could bring former Wolves captain Ruben Neves back to the Premier League.
This is not to say there is no truth to reports suggesting that Arsenal could make a move for Ruben Neves, only a couple of months after the Portugal playmaker made a £47 million move to Al-Hilal.
But, given the choice, The Gunners would choose Douglas Luiz over his former Midlands neighbour every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Speaking via his Caught Offside column, Fabrizio Romano believes that the ever-improving Aston Villa enforcer remains right at the top of Arsenal’s midfield wishlist, with speculation over Neves’ future perhaps a classic case of putting two and two together and getting five.
Arsenal prefer Douglas Luiz to Ruben Neves
“Ruben Neves continues to be linked with Arsenal, and I think these stories come from the fact that Mikel Arteta has always been a big fan of the player,” Romano explains. “He has always appreciated him, since he was at Wolves.
“And his name has come up a few times in recent years whenever Arteta had discussions about targets with Arsenal director Edu. I think that’s why there are these links.
“But at the moment there are no negotiations. And, in fact, the dream target for Arsenal in midfield is Douglas Luiz.”
Arsenal failed with no fewer than three separate bids for the one-time Manchester City youngster back in 2022, and Luiz has taken his game to an all-new level since then under Unai Emery. GiveMeSport’s Dean Jones believes an ambitious, deep-pocketed Aston Villa outfit are likely to hold out for £70 million these days, some £45 million more than Arsenal were willing to pay around 16 months previously.
Aston Villa ace is Arteta’s ‘dream target’
“It’s a complicated deal,” Romano adds. “Because Aston Villa are having a fantastic season, and they don’t want to sell an important player like Luiz in January.I think it would take very important money to make Villa change their minds about Luiz.
“He is Arsenal’s dream target. They see him as a perfect midfielder with a big future. But, unless they are able to come in with a very big package of money, it’s going to be very difficult for them to get this deal done.
“Neves could therefore perhaps be a backup option in case Arsenal can’t sign Luiz.”
Arsenal’s enduring interest raises further questions about the future of Thomas Partey, Juventus reportedly keen on the injury-prone former Atletico Madrid man.
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