Aston Villa will only entertain offers of at least £60m for Arsenal-linked midfielder Douglas Luiz, according to a report.
The Gunners are understood to have identified Luiz as their primary midfield target heading into the January transfer window, but they could face competition for his signature from both Manchester City and Liverpool if reports are to be believed.
Luiz is regarded as an important first-team player for Villa and has blossomed into one of the best all-round midfielders in the Premier League since the arrival of head coach Unai Emery in November last year.
The 25-year-old joined Villa from Man City in 2019 after failing to make a single senior appearances for the Citizens during his two-year spell at the club – instead spending two years on loan at Spanish club Girona.
Luiz has since made 174 appearances for the Lions across all competitions, scoring 18 goals and providing 18 assists, but 20 of those goal contributions have been recorded since the arrival of Emery.
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Indeed, the Brazil international has been given the licence to roam further forward in Emery's midfield and has subsequently chipped in with six goals and four assists in 23 games across all competitions this season.
Luiz is under contract at Villa Park until the summer of 2026 and he recently expressed his "love" of the Lions despite admitting that he is aware of transfer "stories" surrounding his future.
Villa have no interest in parting ways with Luiz or any other key players as they continue to challenge for Champions League qualification and make progress in the Europa Conference League this season.
However, CaughtOffside reports that an offer of at least £60m could be enough to get Villa around the negotiating table.
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Arsenal's pursuit of Luiz comes at a time when the futures of Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Jorginho, Fabio Vieira and Mohamed Elneny are all believed to be uncertain.
Partey, who has struggled with injuries during his time at the Emirates Stadium, has been tipped to seek pastures new in January, with Juventus allegedly keeping tabs on his situation.
Smith Rowe, who has also been hampered with injuries this season, has fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta following the big-money arrivals of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz last summer, and has been linked with a possible switch to Aston Villa.
Jorginho, meanwhile, has hinted at a future move back to his native Italy, and Vieira has been linked with a possible loan move to Marseille having struggled for regular first-team football at Arsenal, while backup midfielder Elneny is out of contract in June 2024.
As well as the addition of a new midfielder, Arsenal are also said to be interested in recruiting a new striker and could be prepared to sell Eddie Nketiah in January to raise funds, according to a report.
Oliver Thomas
