Fate almost sealed for Aston Villa, as Serie A side take encouragement over Arsenal, Tottenham target
Douglas Luiz seems destined to leave Aston Villa in the summer – at least that’s what reports in Italy linking the Arsenal and Tottenham target with a transfer to Roma believe.
Aston Villa have had Douglas Luiz at their disposal since 2019 after a transfer from Manchester City. He signed a contract until 2023, which has never been extended. Therefore, by the summer, he will only have a year left on his deal.
That will put Villa at risk of losing him for a cut-price fee – or nothing at all if his deal winds down further. Hence, links with a transfer elsewhere have already been cropping up.
Douglas Luiz was a reported target for Arsenal and Tottenham during the January transfer window. Neither could manage to prise him away from Villa Park, though.
Their interest may remain, though, if Villa cannot get him to commit to new terms. Arsenal will need a replacement for Mohamed Elneny if he leaves when his contract expires in the summer. They could secure a serious upgrade with the Brazilian.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have put their midfield into a phase of transition. Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso and Dele Alli left in January. Only Rodrigo Bentancur arrived in the same territory, so they could make further moves.
Arsenal number one target this summer is Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa
Douglas Luiz is Arsenal’s prime target this summer as Aston Villa willing to let him go
But running alongside them in the transfer battle are Jose Mourinho’s Roma. The Serie A side have been linked with Douglas Luiz since the summer and are still in the mix.
They are yet to sign a defensive midfielder like Mourinho has been asking for since he took over. In that regard, they are still keen on Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, but Douglas Luiz remains of interest too.
Aston Villa accept Douglas Luiz fate
And according to AS Roma Live, citing English sources, Villa are “resigned” to losing the 23-year-old.
Given their own plans to invest in a midfielder such as Yves Bissouma or Wilfred Ndidi, Villa could be more open to letting Douglas Luiz go. They rejected bids of around €30m from Arsenal and Tottenham in the past, but this summer their plans could change.
Roma will also be encouraged, especially if they still haven’t managed to sign another midfielder. That said, Douglas Luiz is not the out-and-out holding player they are looking for. Furthermore, he would not be easy for them to acquire.
Still, he would be an upgrade on what they have, which means a deal still appeals to them. Villa will now be keeping their eyes out for any offers that come their way.
That could be from Roma, giving Douglas Luiz a new adventure – or it could still be from Arsenal or Tottenham, to provide him with the next challenge in his Premier League career.
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