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Arsenal eyeing a move for Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz

By Ritayan Chatterjee on August 31, 2022

Arsenal are reportedly showing interest in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, according to the report by the Daily Mail.

It is an open secret that the Gunners have been actively looking to strengthen this summer and following injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny, signing a new midfielder – before tomorrow’s deadline – has become an absolute necessity for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Luiz joined Villa Park back in 2019 from Manchester City for a fee of around £15m. The South American was the regular starter for the Villans last season, however, since the arrival of Boubacar Kamara, he has only started in one game in the Premier League so far this campaign.

As per the Daily Mail, Douglas Luiz could leave Aston Villa before tomorrow’s deadline due to the fact that the 24-years-old has less than 12 months remaining in his current contract and the Villans might cash in due to fears of losing him for free next summer.

The report further claims that Arsenal have shown interest in signing Luiz but other Premier League clubs, as well as Atletico Madrid, are also keen on signing the midfielder before the window slams shut.

Douglas Luiz to Arsenal

Arsenal have already been linked with a move for a host of midfielders this summer and Leicester City ace Youri Tielemans was mentioned as the top target for the north London club to strengthen their midfield. However, with only a few hours remaining in the transfer window, Mikel Arteta’s side are yet to find an agreement with the Foxes to sign the Belgian.

So, Douglas Luiz could be a very good alternative to the 25-year-old. The Brazilian is valued at around £34m by Transfermarkt and a fee less than that should be enough to break a deal for the former Manchester City player due to his current contract situation.

Luiz is a Premier League proven midfielder, so he would be a less risky option for Arsenal. The 24-year-old can play threading passes between the lines, has an eye for long-range passing and also can score from distance. Therefore, the midfielder has every attribute to become a key player in Arteta’s system if he were to join the Emirates Stadium.

It will be interesting to see who Arsenal will sign to bolster their midfield. The Villa man can slot straight into the starting line-up for the Gunners if he joins the club and therefore, he would be an ideal acquisition for Arteta’s side.

The north London club currently have no senior player available to play in the deep-lying midfielder role following the injuries to Elneny and Partey. Granit Xhaka – who can be deployed in that position – has been enjoying a stellar campaign this term in the advanced midfield position, so Arteta wouldn’t want to shift the Swiss from his preferred position.

Therefore, Arsenal must address their defensive midfield issue before the end of the transfer window and Douglas Luiz can be a very good addition to the squad.