BREAKING: Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa to Arsenal: Talks started, £20m bid, Liverpool interest, Steven Gerrard stance
Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa has emerged as a potential midfield signing before the summer transfer window slams shut tonight, with the Brazilian having been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past.
Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa during the pre season friendly between Walsall and Aston Villa at Poundland Bescot Stadium on July 9, 2022 in Walsall, England.
WALSALL, ENGLAND – JULY 09: Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa during the pre season friendly between Walsall and Aston Villa at Poundland Bescot Stadium on July 9, 2022 in Walsall, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz with just hours left in the summer transfer window to get a deal over the line.
The Gunners are thought to be targeting a central midfield signing as a ‘priority’ following injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny. Mikel Arteta has made it clear he wants to add at least one more signing to his squad before the transfer window shuts tonight and a move for Luiz could be on the cards.
The Brazilian fits the Gunners’ profile due to his Premier League experience, age and ability to play as a no.6 and no.8. Luiz could come in and challenge Partey and Granit Xhaka for a starting spot in Arteta’s side with the Villa midfielder now in the final year of his deal at VIlla Park.
With that being said, football.london takes a look at all the latest speculation on the 24-year-old midfielder’s potential move to the Emirates Stadium.
Aston Villa stance
Sources at Villa have stated that the club’s stance, at the time of writing, is that Luiz will not be sold.
It remains to be seen if this will change throughout the day as history indicates anything can happen during the final hours on deadline day.
Arsenal start negotiations
Arsenal have already started negotiations over a deal to sign Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz, according to Brazil football reporter Matheus Leal.
Leal wrote in a post on Twitter: “Arsenal is another strong team in the fight for Douglas Luiz. The London team has already started negotiations with the midfielder and counts on Edu Gaspar as an asset to get the contract.
“The interest and attention shown by Mikel Arteta attracts the player.”
Arsenal audition
Luiz scored a freak corner kick goal against the Gunners in Villa’s 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium. The Brazilian had an impressive cameo after coming on as a substitute and would’ve caught the eye of the Arsenal hierarchy with his spectacular equaliser.
Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu are on the search for a new midfielder to add to Arsenal’s squad before the transfer deadline, and Luiz’s performance may have put him top of the shortlist.
Steven Gerrard admission
Following Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Villa boss Steven Gerrard commented on Luiz’s ongoing contract situation.
Gerrard said: “I am not in control of that. There are more than two people in control of that, and I am certainly not one of them.
“That will be Douglas, that will be his agent, that will be what happens. I would like to keep him, he is a fantastic player.
“I have made that abundantly clear. We are not in a position where we need to lose our top players, but at the same time, Douglas has got a year to go, and it is one of those really touchy situations where the club has to do what is best for the club, not necessarily what is best for me.”
£20million bid ‘imminent’
A ‘mystery club’ are set to make an official offer of £20m for Douglas Luiz today, according to Sky Sports.
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been tracking the Brazil international, with the latter two teams in desperate need of a new midfielder after being hampered by injuries in that area of the pitch.
football.london understands that he is among a list of players that the Gunners have looked at in the past, with January 2022 the last time he was seriously considered by Edu and Co.
Aston Villa new contract
Aston Villa are hoping to convince Douglas Luiz to stay at the club by offering the midfielder a new contract, according to The Daily Mail.
Luiz’s current deal will expire next summer and clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are all weighing up his situation ahead of deadline day on Thursday.
Arsenal offered Luiz
Arsenal have been offered Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, sources have told Football Insider.
The 24-year-old’s camp are working on finding him a new club on deadline day after he failed to agree a new Villa contract...CONTINUE.YOUR.READING
The Midlands giants have held extensive talks with Luizover an extended deal but have yet to secure an agreement.
