Arsenal still want to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa – Fabrizio Romano
Arsenal are still interested in signing Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa, although they’re yet to decide if they’ll return with a new bid in January according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Brazilian midfielder is out of contract at Villa Park at the end of the season and is no closer to agreeing a new deal according to manager Steven Gerrard, after the club rejected three bids from the Gunners on deadline day.
But while Arsenal are still looking for a new midfielder, the super reliable Romano told his Caught Offside Substack [5 October] that Luiz remains on the list of targets but he’s not alone and no decisions have been made for January yet.
“Highly-rated Palmeiras talent Danilo was also one of the players that Arsenal have tracked during the summer, but it was never close to being completed, as Palmeiras wanted more than €35m for the 21-year-old,” he said.
“As for Douglas Luiz, the Aston Villa midfielder remains in the list but nothing has been decided yet for January.
“I expect a midfielder or a winger will be Arsenal’s main priorities, but it will depend on who’s available, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
Inevitable
It seems to anyone with eyes that Luiz has made up his mind to leave the club at the end of his contract, and it seems impossible that he’ll renew now.
Right now though he’s about to get his longest run in the team with Boubacar Kamara ruled out until the new year with a knee injury, meaning he becomes the first-choice holding midfielder once again.
But with Arsenal snooping around and other clubs that play European football reportedly interested in bringing him in, it will be incredibly difficult to convince him to stay put when he isn’t even first choice if everyone is fit.
Gerrard has a big task on his hands to keep Luiz happy and ticking over for the rest of the season, but the club must make a decision on whether to cash in during the winter window to get some money for him or hold on and let him go for free in the summer.
In other Aston Villa news, Matt Law blasts Steven Gerrard after 0-0 draw vs Leeds