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Tottenham could afford Douglas Luiz if they sell Harry Kane amid Aston Villa exit speculation
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Tottenham would be “at best” a sideways step for Douglas Luiz amid his links to both Spurs and Arsenal, but he is unlikely to depart Villa Park this summer, according to Dan Bardell.
The Sun claimed (20 July) that the Gunners were ready to hijack a Tottenham move for the influential Villa midfielder, but with the Brazilian only recently signing a new long-term contract, a successful bid seems wishful.
Luiz has cemented himself as part of a solid Aston Villa midfield alongside Boubacar Kamara and is set to feature heavily for Unai Emery next season after a strong pre-season.
Bardell claims that due to Aston Villa’s current manager, trajectory and European qualification, they are a more appealing side for Luiz, with Spurs being nothing more than a sideways move at best.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “He signed a new contract less than 12 months ago, so I don’t think Villa face a battle to keep him. If anyone was to come in for him, they’d have to have a lot of money to prize him away.
“I actually think he’s the top pick in midfield. At the moment, it would be Boubacar Kamara and Luiz playing alongside each other because I think Kamara is a really good high-level footballer who’s going to go a long way in the game and become a regular for France.
“I certainly don’t think Arsenal will be making a move for Luiz. They’ve spent a fortune already. Tottenham I don’t see as being a viable option. I don’t think they’ve got the financing that they need at the moment to get Luiz, but that might change should they sell Harry Kane.
“But at the moment, and I say this as someone who works in football and has no bias at all, I don’t think Tottenham is a step up from Villa. Especially with the manager that we’ve got at the moment and the fact that we’ve got European football.
“It would be, at best, a sideways move for Douglas Luiz. I just don’t see him leaving at the moment.”
In other Aston Villa news, Burnley have made an eight-figure bid for one of Villa’s most exciting youth prospects who had been tipped for first-team action.