Transfer clicks into place as Arsenal locked in talks with Aston Villa for Brazilian with £20m offer on table
Arsenal have made a bid for Douglas Luiz are pushing for a transfer on deadline day, according to a report.
Aston Villa have always said that the Brazilian is not for sale. But with Villa poised to land Leander Dendoncker it’s understood Villa could relax their stance. Villa have had a £13m bid for Dendoncker accepted by Wolves.
It means Steven Gerrard is set to swell his midfield options and Luiz is a target for Arsenal.
Sky Sports report that Arsenal have lodged a £20m offer for Douglas Luiz, who scored direct from a corner against the Gunners on Wednesday night.
It’s the second time this season the 24-year-old did exactly the same in the Carabao Cup against Bolton.
Arsenal are not the only club who have shown an interest in Luiz this window. As per the source, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been in contact.
Liverpool though are pushing ahead with a loan for Arthur Melo, while Arsenal have moved ahead for Luiz with a formal offer.
Mikel Arteta was thought to be pondering a move for a wide player this week, but the injury to Mohamed Elneny has seen his switch tact.
Elneny picked up a significant injury in the win over Fulham and is expected to be missing for some time.
Elneny blow forced Arsenal’s hand
“That’s not good news,” Arteta said on Wednesday night after the win over Villa.
“We need to still see another specialist, but I’m afraid that we’re gonna lose Mo for a while.
“Obviously it has an impact because Thomas (Partey) is injured as well and we’re a bit short in that position. We have players like Sambi (Lokonga), we have players like Granit (Xhaka) who can play there.
“The club has been super supportive to keep improving the squad and the team as we can and if the right player is available and we can do it we will try.
“We are looking at options. Obviously [Elneny’s injury] has an impact because Thomas Partey is injured and we are a bit short in that position. We do have Albert Sambi Lokonga and Granit Xhaka who can play there.
Luiz wants Arsenal move
“We are just looking at options in the market. As I said, the club has been super supportive to try to keep improving the squad and the team as we can, and if the right player is available and we can do it, we will try.”
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal are “really trying” to get a deal over the line for Luiz. And what is more, Luiz is “pushing” for the deal at the other end.
Official talks are ongoing and personal terms will not be a problem for the Gunners.
Luiz is in the final 12 months of his contract after signing for £15m from Man City in 2019. The Brazilian, who came through the ranks at hometown club Vasco da Gama, joined City in 2017. But he moved on to kickstart his career and after 116 appearances at Villa Park, he has certainly done that.
If Arteta can land Luiz, who he knows from his time at The Etihad, it would be a huge shot in the arm. The Villa man is arguably more equipped to start in midfield than Elneny, who started as the deep-lying midfielder against Fulham.
