Arsenal monitoring Douglas Luiz following failed 2022 transfer
- Aston Villa rejected three bids from Arsenal for Douglas Luiz in 2022
- Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar are fans of the midfielder
- Luiz has greatly improved under coaching of Unai Emery
Arsenal remain interested in trying to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa following his excellent start to the 2023/24 season, sources have confirmed to 90min.
The Gunners would like to add another midfielder to their ranks during the January transfer window and are looking at options across both Europe and South America.
90min understands that they like the look of Fluminense's Andre - a key target for Liverpool - while they have been scouting Feyenoord's Quinten Timber and Valencia's Javi Guerra in recent months. An enquiry has also been made to Royal Antwerp regarding Arthur Vermeeren, who has drawn comparisons with Sergio Busquets and is wanted by Barcelona.
Closer to home, Arsenal have long been on the trail of Luiz, who has taken his game to another level since Unai Emery arrived at Aston Villa in November 2022. He most recently grabbed a brace in a 4-1 victory against West Ham United on Sunday, extending his run of scoring in Premier League home games to six matches.
Arsenal previously tried to sign Luiz at the very back-end of the summer 2022 transfer window, making three bids - the highest coming in at £25m - for the Brazil international. However, they were all rejected by Aston Villa and he ended up staying in the West Midlands.
Sources have told 90min that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar are both huge admirers of Luiz. Arteta has known of the midfielder since his days as an assistant at Manchester City, where Luiz spent two years under contract but could not play due to work permit issues.
Since their career paths split, Arteta has kept a watchful eye over Luiz and would like to reunite with him at the Emirates Stadium.
However, 90min understands that Aston Villa do not intend to even entertain offers in January, while Luiz himself is committed to the club and wants to help them qualify for the Champions League.
Aston Villa have taken 19 points from their opening nine Premier League games, sitting fifth in the standings so far. They are also one of the favourites to go all the way in this season's Conference League.
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