Arsenal’s obstacle to MAJOR transfer revealed
Tom Hancock
- 7 Aug 2023 21:40 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal are reportedly keen on Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz – but a deal for the Brazil international may be out of the Gunners’ reach.
The 2022/23 Premier League runners-up failed with multiple bids for Douglas Luiz last summer – and Villa appear in a strong position to keep hold of one of their star men again this time around.
Our in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model currently values the 25-year-old at €39.8m (£34.2), with Villa having valued him at £40m this time last year – shortly before he signed a new contract until 2026.
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And that extension might just allow Villa to put a big enough price tag on Douglas Luiz to fend off any suitors during the final few weeks of the transfer window.
Transfer expert Dean Jones, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, believes so, stating that he’s unsure Arsenal are in a position to make Villa an offer they can’t refuse.
Douglas Luiz joined Villa from Manchester City back in 2019 for £15m and has gone on to make 151 appearances for the club.
He thrived last term under former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, helping Villa to Conference League qualification and scooping the Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards.
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Wouldn’t Douglas Luiz lose out by moving to Arsenal anyway?
Even if Arsenal were to land Douglas Luiz, he might have his work cut out holding down a regular starting berth in Mikel Arteta’s midfield – with Thomas Partey and £105m signing Declan Rice to dislodge.
And the arrival of Rice has prompted speculation over the future of Jorginho, who only joined the Gunners from Chelsea in January but is being linked with a move to Fenerbache.
The Italy international missed Sunday’s Community Shield victory over Man City due to a slight muscle injury.
