Aston Villa: £50m+ Douglas Luiz exit verdict emerges amid fresh speculation
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is worth at least £50million, according to Alan Hutton.
Luiz, 25, has been in tremendous form for the Villans this season, leading to Football Insider reporting on 29 October that the club are ready to open talks over a new contract.
It is understood that the Brazil international is a long-standing target for Arsenal but Aston Villa want to nip that interest in the bud in the new year by signing their star man up to a new contract.
Hutton believes Luiz is good enough to play for almost every club in the Premier League and if the ex-Manchester City man was to move on, it would be a massive sale.
"At this moment time, with the current market valuations, he has to be worth over £50million," Hutton told Villa News.
"He's at a great age, he's been outstanding and he can probably play for most teams in the Premier League except for Manchester City, who are arguably the strongest team.
"I think he can play with anyone and obviously, people are sniffing about.
"He's got a great goalscoring record at Villa Park and you can see what he gives you in dead-ball situations, whether it be penalties, corners or free-kicks.
"He ticks all the boxes so I think we're talking about record fees here. Obviously, Jack Grealish is the record sale and he won't reach that but we're talking record numbers for a midfielder if he goes.
"Hopefully he doesn't because he's a massive part of what Villa do moving forward. It would have to be a big number to get him out."
Luiz has scored six goals in 16 appearances across all competitions this season for the Villans.