11 November 2023 , 20:30
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Douglas Luiz will have to agitate for a transfer this January if he is to stand a chance of joining Arsenal - as Aston Villa simply have no interest in entertaining a sale.
The Gunners are understood to have made the 25-year-old a primary target ahead of the winter window after Thomas Partey was forced to undergo thigh surgery which will keep him sidelined for up to eight weeks.
The injury-prone Arsenal midfield powerhouse is unlikely to return to action until 2024 when he is also due to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana - providing he can prove his fitness. Arsenal saw three deadline-day bids worth up to £25million rejected for Douglas Luiz back in September 2022 when he was approaching the final six months of his deal at Villa Park.
However, just weeks later he would commit his long-term future to the Villains by inking a new bumper contract in the Midlands that reflected his growing importance at the club. Yet Arsenal's interest has never truly diminished as the combative anchorman is mutually appreciated by both Mikel Arteta and Edu.
Douglas Luiz is represented by Kia Joorabchian, who has close links to Arsenal's sporting director but a mid-season deal still looks incredibly complex. Villa are yet to even think about the prospect of a sale and would likely demand a mammoth fee to even possibly consider altering their stance.
Their exciting, ambitious project - which has gathered considerable pace in the past 12 months - is far from finished yet and Douglas Luiz is considered central to Unai Emery's vision.
Unless the player pushes for a transfer and spells out to Aston Villa that he wishes to leave the club - he will be staying put. The same stance was also applicable to World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Add to that, Arsenal are also struggling to remain within the constraints of Financial Fair Play regulations due to their lack of substantial sales. They spent a whopping £208million on new arrivals this summer but only generated just shy of £60m from departures.
Thomas Partey has undergone thigh surgeryThat is largely why Arsenal signed goalkeeper David Raya on an initial loan deal from Brentford as they bid to protect their financial records following Edu's recent splurge.
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Arsenal are in the market for a new central midfielder this January but they will also have to source a cost-effective solution unless they're prepared to sanction at least one high-profile exit. The Gunners are poised to go big on another statement forward signing next summer - with Ivan Toney and Pedro Neto firmly admired - but in the meantime, they need to find a way of strengthening in the middle of the park.
Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is appreciated but has a release clause worth in the region of £53m. He is also expected to stay in the Basque Country, where he is more than happy to continue his development, as he would like to play Champions League knockout football with Sociedad in 2024.