Club now make January transfer stance clear on 25-year-old Arsenal target

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Aston Villa have made their position clear on the future of Arsenal target Douglas Luiz.

As reported by The Standard, Aston Villa are determined to retain the services of Arsenal January transfer target Douglas Luiz.

The Gunners are long-time admirers of Luiz. Mikel Arteta has attempted to bring the Brazilian midfielder to the Emirates Stadium before. Arsenal made a bid worth £25 million for the player in the summer of 2022.

That approach was knocked back by the Midlands outfit, and their valuation of the 25-year-old will only have increased since then.

Luiz is a key player at Villa Park. The ten-cap Brazil international has been in fine form so far this season, contributing six goals and two assists across 19 appearances in all competitions.

Arteta is certainly keen to add to his midfield contingent. The persistent injuries that Thomas Partey continues to suffer have left the Gunners light on options in that part of the pitch. Arsenal now need to look to life beyond Partey.

Douglas Luiz an exciting prospect for Arsenal

Luiz has the capacity to be an integral player for Arsenal for many years to come. It is a tantalising prospect, to imagine how impressive a midfield duo of Luiz and Declan Rice could prove to be. Both players boast extraordinary levels of athleticism and can have an impact at both ends of the pitch.

However, it seems that the Gunners still have a mammoth task facing them in striking a deal for Luiz. Aston Villa are of a mind to knock back any approach for the player, and certainly won’t let Luiz leave cheaply.

Arsenal only have a very limited transfer budget available to them for the upcoming January transfer window. It may be that they have to shelve plans to sign Luiz until the summer and make do with what they have in terms of midfield options until the end of the season.

Jorginho has proven himself to be a useful squad player since his £12 million January arrival from Chelsea. If Partey can put together a spell of being fully fit and in form at some stage this season then that would also be a massive boost for the Gunners. 

Despite Aston Villa’s position having been made clear, though, Arteta will still hold out hope of signing Luiz, especially if the player can be convinced to push for a move himself. Time will tell if Arsenal are able to find a way through Villa’s staunch refusal to part with the player.