Arsenal plans shelved and Liverpool link thrown away after ideal midfield target proudly sees his future confirmed
Douglas Luiz has attracted the interest of Arsenal and Liverpool in recent months, but has now committed his future to Aston Villa – insisting it is his choice and one he is very much happy with.
The Brazilian midfielder was due to be out of contract at the end of the season. Therefore, Aston Villa were at serious risk of losing him in 2023. Clubs elsewhere in the Premier League and abroad were taking note of his situation.
Aston Villa already did well to keep hold of him in the summer, when they rejected three bids from Arsenal on deadline day. However, there have since been rumours that the Gunners could go back in for the former Manchester City product next year.
Liverpool have also come into the equation in recent weeks. They should be in the market for midfield reinforcements in the new year.
However, Aston Villa have now taken action to avoid the risk of losing Douglas Luiz. On Friday afternoon, they announced a long-term contract extension for the 24-year-old.
The length of the new deal has not been confirmed. But Aston Villa are now in a much stronger position and can look forward to a future that very much involves Douglas Luiz.
And he has confirmed to their club media that he is very happy with the choice he has made.
“I’m so happy,” he said.
“I’m so happy in this club and I love this club. I love the people here, the staff and the players.
“I’m so comfortable here and I’m so happy.
“I love this club. This club opened the door for me when I came to England to play in the Premier League.
“I’m so happy because I’m staying here and my choice is here.”
Douglas Luiz renewal good news for Aston Villa
To date, Douglas Luiz has made 120 appearances for Aston Villa since joining them in 2019. In that time, he has provided eight assists and scored seven goals.
This season, he has featured in all but one of their first nine Premier League matches, starting four times and coming on as a substitute on the same number of occasions. He has scored once in the top flight and also scored on his sole Carabao Cup appearance of 2022-23 up to this point.
Keeping Douglas Luiz is a statement of intent from Aston Villa. He is a player who has the potential to represent a club of European stature, which is still something his current employers are striving towards.
But as they build for the future – in a process that looks like it will take longer than they might have wished – keeping him at their core can give them something strong to work with.
Good on the ball and intelligent at reading the game, he can be an important player for them as they look to lift themselves from their current placing of 16th in the Premier League table.
