20 November 2023 , 13:16
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is expected to once again try and lure Aston Villa ace Douglas Luiz to the Emirates during the upcoming January transfer window.
The Gunners have long been interested in Luiz and were aiming to land his signature in the summer of 2022, but Villa held firm and insisted he was going nowhere. Unfortunately for Arteta, it looks like he is going to be met with the same message if he makes a second attempt for Luiz at the turn of the year.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign for Unai Emery's side, netting six goals as Villa sit fifth in the table, one point outside of the Champions League places. Last year, the Gunners saw multiple deadline day bids for Luiz rejected despite the fact that, at that stage, he only had a year left to run on his deal.
Luiz has since signed an extension which keeps him tied to Villa Park until the summer of 2026. That is unlikely to deter Arsenal in their pursuit to sign him, as Arteta looks to ease the problems that have arisen as a result of a minor midfield crisis.
Thomas Partey is a mercurial talent when fit, but in the eyes of Arsenal fans and likely Arteta as well, the Ghanaian is simply not fit often enough. He has featured in just four of the Gunners' 12 Premier League games this term for a combined total of 251 minutes.
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Having not completed a full 90 minutes for Arsenal in the league since the second game of the campaign in mid-August, Partey sustained a muscle injury in training that is expected to see him ruled out of action for the rest of the year.
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Douglas Luiz has admirers over at Arsenal (Dennis Goodwin/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)There is growing speculation that this may be Partey's last season in north London as those at the top of the Arsenal hierarchy grow tired of the constant injury issues. However, for Arteta to feel confident in parting ways, a replacement needs to be secured.
Considering Arsenal's last bid for Luiz, which came around 15 months ago, was worth £25million and swiftly snubbed by Aston Villa, the Gunners are gonna have to offer a significant sum to tempt them into parting ways with a prized asset.
Arteta will have to decide which areas he will prioritise when it comes to bolstering his options in January. For months, it seemed as if a new striker was top of the transfer wish-list, but with Partey often crocked, another pursuit of Luiz looks to be on the cards.