Arsenal are ready to rekindle their interest in Douglas Luiz ahead of the summer as Mikel Arteta remains keen to sign a midfielder.
According to HITC, Arsenal could return for Douglas Luiz after delaying a move for the Brazilian midfielder. Mikel Arteta may have wanted him to bolster his midfield in January, although Aston Villa’s astronomical asking price may have seen them cool their pursuit.
Arsenal back in for Douglas Luiz?
Arsenal fought a fierce battle with Manchester City last summer for Declan Rice and did not hesitate to pay £105 million for the former West Ham star. The Gunners feel their midfield composition is still unfinished and could go for another player in the middle when the next window opens.
Douglas Luiz has been on Mikel Arteta’s shortlist for a long time, and the summer window might see Arsenal rekindle their interest in the 25-year-old midfielder. Aston Villa consider him critical to their long-term plans and warded off suitors in January with a £100 million asking price.
They might continue to demand that in the summer, knowing very well that Arsenal and Manchester City are considering moves for the 25-year-old. Villa seemed poised for contract talks with the Brazilian in a bid to keep him on for many more years, but that talk has cooled since the turn of the year.
As long as Luiz does not sign on the dotted line, big clubs will continue to chase him, with Arsenal reportedly keen to rekindle their pursuit in the summer. The Gunners had delayed a move until the summer after Villa’s huge asking price in January, as Arteta wants a long-term midfield option alongside Rice.
Arsenal chasing key midfielders
Arteta would have ideally liked Rice to partner Thomas Partey this season, but the Ghanaian has remained unavailable due to persistent injury issues. The Gunners could get rid of Partey in the summer and replace him with a formidable option, with Martin Zubimendi a priority target for Arsenal.
Frenkie De Jong was also a target, but the Dutchman may not leave Barcelona in the summer. With that, the chances of Arsenal pursuing Zubimendi or Luiz have risen exponentially, although other clubs are chasing other clubs are also chasing the pair.
