Arsenal could now land £25m star for 'cut-price fee' at the Emirates | OneFootball

Icon: GiveMeSport

GiveMeSport

·26 September 2022

Arsenal could now land £25m star for 'cut-price fee' at the Emirates

Article image:Arsenal could now land £25m star for 'cut-price fee' at the Emirates

Arsenal could lure Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz to the Emirates Stadium for a ‘cut-price fee’ when the transfer window reopens in January, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Gunners spent close to £120million before the deadline passed earlier this month, but boss Mikel Arteta was unable to get a deal for Luiz over the line.


OneFootball Videos


What’s the latest news involving Luiz?

Luiz has entered the final 12 months of his £52,000-per-week contract at Villa, leading to uncertainty over where his long-term future lies.

Chelsea are understood to be among the defensive midfielder’s latest suitors, while he could pen a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club at the turn of the year.

Arsenal made their intentions to tempt Luiz to the capital abundantly clear during the final hours of the summer window, but they had three bids of up to £25million rejected.

The 24-year-old reportedly wanted to seal a switch away from the West Midlands, but his current employers were not willing to make his dream a reality.

Luiz does not have any intention of signing a new contract at Villa, meaning January will be their final opportunity to cash-in.

What has Pete O’Rourke said about Luiz?

O’Rourke understands that Luiz’s future is up in the air due to his current contract situation at Villa Park.

The journalist feels the Brazilian could be available for a bargain price, making a January switch to Arsenal a distinct possibility.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “Douglas Luiz’s situation at Villa is uncertain and he is out of contract in the summer as well.

“Do Villa have to sell him in January if he’s not going to sign a new deal? Maybe Arsenal could land him for a cut-price fee.”

Would Luiz be a good signing for Arsenal?

Luiz has already shown Arsenal supporters what he is capable of during the early weeks of the campaign, having scored directly from a corner as current employers Villa were beaten at the Emirates Stadium.

With Mohamed Elneny on the sidelines after suffering a significant injury during the win over Fulham last month, it is clear that Arteta would benefit from reinforcements in the middle of the park.

Statistics show Luiz averaged more pressures, blocks and interceptions than Elneny and Thomas Partey per 90 minutes last season, so it could be argued that the Villa man would be an upgrade on the Gunners duo.

If the Brazil international is on the market for a cut-price fee when the transfer window reopens, Arsenal should look to pounce.

View publisher imprint