‘He is currently the best player in the league right now, I don’t know why He snubbed us last summer’: Pep confessed player who snubbed Man City proposal last summer have agreed personal terms to join Arsenal in January
Arsenal is reportedly gearing up for a substantial January move to secure the services of Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, despite the significant financial demands that may come with the deal, as per CaughtOffside.
In the previous transfer window, the Gunners strengthened their midfield with acquisitions like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz. While Rice has been versatile, adapting between the no.6 and no.8 roles based on the opponent and game situation, the presence of Jorginho has somewhat mitigated the impact of Thomas Partey’s injury.
However, there are speculations, according to Caught Offside, that Partey might make an exit from the club as early as January, with a potential move to Saudi Arabia in the cards. Against this backdrop, Douglas Luiz emerges as Arsenal’s primary midfield target for the upcoming transfer window, despite the expected high financial demands. The Gunners are reportedly ready to initiate concrete steps in the coming weeks, but it may take a substantial sum, likely around £60 million, to open negotiations with Villa.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s head coach, had expressed interest in bringing Luiz to the club back in September of the previous year, considering him an option following Partey’s injury. However, their £25 million bid at that time fell short of convincing Villa to part with the Brazilian midfielder. Although Luiz wasn’t a prominent figure in the starting XI at that point, he eventually signed a new contract with Villa.
Under the management of Unai Emery, Luiz has evolved into a key figure in Villa’s lineup across all competitions. The 25-year-old Brazilian has demonstrated his prowess in the league this season, contributing significantly with stats such as 2.4 tackles, 5.3 duels won, and 6.4 recoveries per appearance. Notably, he has also made valuable offensive contributions with 6 goals and 4 assists.
Luiz’s potential acquisition by Arsenal would be considered a top-notch signing, given his age and impressive performance. However, Villa’s commitment to securing Champions League qualification may present a hurdle, and their resolve could be put to a serious test if Arsenal is indeed willing to meet the reported £60 million or higher valuation in the upcoming January transfer window.