Tottenham set to pounce for dynamic Aston Villa enforcer to replace star ‘actively’ seeking exit
Tottenham target Douglas Luiz to replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has become a possible successor to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at Tottenham Hotspur, according to a report.
Tottenham are searching for midfield reinforcements while Hojbjerg is attracting interest from Atletico Madrid. Despite being a regular since his arrival from Southampton three years ago, there is a feeling that the Denmark international’s time is up in north London.
Indeed, the Daily Mail claims he is ‘actively’ pushing for a move to Atletico Madrid, who have made him their top target to strengthen in defensive midfield.
If Tottenham sell Hojbjerg, which they are open to doing for the right price, they will require a replacement. In that regard, the Daily Mail is now suggesting that Douglas Luiz is on their shortlist.
The Brazil international has been a dynamic presence in the Aston Villa midfield for four seasons and has the kind of qualities Tottenham’s existing options in the role may lack.
Aston Villa still have him under contract for another three years after previously resisting serious interest from Tottenham’s arch-rivals Arsenal in 2022.
Therefore, there is no guarantee they would accept an offer from Tottenham, who finished below them in the 2022-23 Premier League table anyway.
Gallagher and Veiga also on Tottenham shortlist
With that in mind, Tottenham are keeping their options open. Their interest in Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher – who is also a target for West Ham, per other sources – has been reiterated, although that hinges on whether the Blues are willing to deprive themselves of yet another midfielder after sanctioning the departures of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The report also puts Gabri Veiga into contention after his breakthrough season in Spain with Celta de Vigo. However, if Tottenham prefer Premier League experience, they could maintain a stronger focus on the Aston Villa or Chelsea options.
Douglas Luiz is now 25 years old and the prime of his career is still awaiting. Leaving Aston Villa for Tottenham would mean sacrificing European football for the 2023-24 season, but in recent years, would have been seen as a step up.
Thus, it might still be a transfer to keep an eye on. It would not be a cheap deal for Spurs, though, and would likely require a positive net spend in relation to the Hojbjerg deal.
