Arsenal have reportedly entered the race to sign Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz in the January transfer window, with the Gunners making the player their first-choice midfield target.
The 25-year-old joined the Villans in the summer of 2019 from Manchester City for £15m, with the aim of playing regular Premier League football for the first time in his career.
Over a four-year period at the Second City club, Luiz has featured 170 times, scoring 18 goals in all competitions and helping his side reach the Europa Conference League this season.
The midfielder has also featured occasionally for the Brazil national side since making his debut in October 2019, earning nine caps for the South American giants.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Luiz could be set for a move away from Aston Villa during the upcoming transfer window in the New Year.
© Reuters
The report claims that Arsenal remain very keen on the player, with Mikel Arteta's side looking to bolster their midfield ranks ahead of the second half of the term.
With the future of former Chelsea man Jorginho unknown and Thomas Partey currently sidelined due to injury, it is understood that the North London club are aiming to bring in players for their engine room.
It is believed that Luiz is Arsenal's preferred option at this moment in time, however Villa are hoping to be able to retain the services of the 25-year-old.
The midfielder's current terms at Villa Park expire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 term, meaning that Unai Emery's men are in no danger of losing the player for nothing anytime soon.
© Reuters
Luiz has been a key part of Villa's top-four chasing side so far this season, starting 11 Premier League matches and scoring five goals.
The Brazil international was rested from the start for his team's Conference League clash against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening, however the ex-Vasco da Gama youngster came off the bench to provide the match-winning assist for Ollie Watkins.
That victory over the Eredivisie outfit was Villa's third in Group E and has all but secured their qualification into the knockout stages, meaning that Luiz could be spared during the final two group-stage contests against Legia Warsaw and Zrinjski Mostar.
Luiz and his Villa teammates will be looking to avoid back-to-back Premier League defeats for the first time this season when they host Marco Silva's Fulham at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon.
Carter White
