Arsenal to reignite Douglas Luiz interest in January despite Villa’s reluctance

Arsenal are poised to reignite their interest in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz when the January transfer window rolls around, Standard Sport reports.

The Gunners hold a long-standing interest in the Brazil international after attempting to poach him from Villa during last summer’s deadline day fiasco.

Arsenal launched three deadline day bids to try and lure Luiz away from Villa Park, including a final proposal worth £25 million, but the Birmingham outfit were reluctant to sell.

Villa’s determination to hang on to Luiz, who at the time had less than a year on his contract, was rewarded with the player penning a new deal that runs until the summer of 2026.

If Villa barely had a leg to stand on during the deadline day rigmarole with Arsenal, they certainly do now, and it will take more than £25m to lure them to the negotiation table this time. 

Luiz has also rewarded Villa’s faith in his qualities with a lightening start to the season, contributing five goals and an assist in 12 Premier League appearances.

The 25-year-old also averages 1.2 key passes per 90, has created two big chances and is also a dominant force in the middle of the park, winning 60% of his total duels while boasting a 62% dribble success rate.

Needless to say Luiz is having a season to remember in Unai Emery’s side, who will have one eye on a Champions League place this season with a couple of the ‘big boys’ struggling to stake a claim.

He would be an excellent fit for Mikel Arteta’s well-oiled Arsenal side, who are in dire need of midfield reinforcements with Thomas Partey’s future at the Emirates Stadium still uncertain.

Partey has struggled to shake off his injury problems this season, and a thigh injury is likely to keep him out of action until the new year.

The Ghanaian is then due to be at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, with Mohamed Elneny also expected to be part of Egypt’s squad for the tournament.

A January move for Luiz will be difficult for Arsenal to pull off unless they muster a mind-boggling proposal. But if Villa are unsuccessful in their Champions League aspirations, a summer move could be on the cards.