Transfer Gossip: Arsenal target hands Arteta huge boost, though Gunners must run the gauntlet first; Prem winger agrees late transfer

Arsenal target Douglas Luiz may yet wind up in north London if the Gunners can navigate a tricky six months first, while a Premier League winger has agreed a late move to Turkey – both in Wednesday’s Transfer Gossip.

DOUGLAS LUIZ HANDS ARTETA MAJOR LIFT

Arsenal could land Douglas Luiz in 2023 after a report from his native Brazil shed light on what the future holds at Villa Park.

The Gunners bid multiple times in the latter stages of the window for Douglas Luiz. Their highest and final offer totalled £25m, though Steven Gerrard and Villa stood firm.

The 24-year-old holding midfielder has entered the final year of his contract. Arsenal were seemingly hoping that would cajole Villa into selling, though they weren’t open for business.

Gerrard explained the reasons why the move didn’t materialise after deadline day passed. However, unless Luiz pens an extension, Villa’s decision could see them lose out financially if he walks away for free.

According to Brazilian outlet UOL, that’s exactly what Douglas Luiz intends to do.

Their reporter, Bruno Andrade, stated Luiz ‘is determined not to renew his contract’.

That will be music to the ears of Arteta and Arsenal, with the possibility of signing Luiz for free next summer now open.

Arsenal must run the gauntlet from January to June

Recent reports have suggested Arsenal have no intention of lodging another cut-price bid for Luiz in January.

As such, it seems they’ll wait until next summer before making their move – unless they sign a suitable alternative first, of course.

However, if Luiz doesn’t sign a new deal, he’ll be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs come January 1. That would set up a nervy six months for Arsenal if they do intend to sign him next summer.

Andrade suggested Luiz will explore his options come January, though there is positive news for Arsenal.

He added Luiz’s current plan is to remain in the Premier League where he is settled and established.

NATHAN REDMOND TO RETURN AFTER ONE YEAR?

Southampton winger Nathan Redmond is on course to join Besiktas, though his future could lay back in England after just a single season, per reports.

The Turkish transfer window does not close until Thursday. As such, their clubs are still able to sign players and the predictable late scramble is now in full swing.

Indeed, Galatasaray are poised to land Argentina international, Mauro Icardi, on loan from PSG. They had bid for Southampton’s Redmond, as did Fenerbahce, though the race has reportedly been won by Besiktas.

The Athletic reported the 28-year-old has opted to sign for Besiktas and said his goodbyes on the south coast on Tuesday.

Fabrizio Romano added the Saints have okayed the move and barring any late hiccups, Redmond will move to Turkey.

He’ll travel to Istanbul on Wednesday morning and is poised to sign a one-year deal.

That means he’ll become a free agent after just one season, and David Ornstein suggested a return to England could then be on the cards.

He tweeted there’s a ‘good chance’ Redmond returns to the Premier League on a free next summer.

MAN CITY HAVE AGREEMENT INOLVING REAL MADRID LEGEND?

A report from the Spanish press claims Man City have an agreement with Pep Guardiola over pushing to sign Toni Kroos, potentially over the next 12 months.

The German’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023 and the Spanish press report Real expect him to sign an extension.

However, the 32-year-old has a keen admirer in Pep Guardiola who is fully aware of his talents from their time at Bayern Munich.

The City boss reportedly has an ‘agreement’ with his board that a move for Kroos will be pursued at some stage. Given the player’s contract status, the idea of pushing for a pre-contract agreement from January 1 onwards is floated.

From the player’s end, Kroos is reportedly ‘seriously considering’ his options away from the Bernabeu.

He is claimed to not want to retire too late and at 32, the time could be coming for one final challenge in the Premier League.