29 December 2023 , 13:02
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Douglas Luiz has emerged as a summer transfer target for Barcelona with the Aston Villa midfielder unlikely to be sold in January.
Luiz, 25, has been a long-term Arsenal target and was the subject of three failed bids from the Gunners during the final hours of last year's summer transfer window. The Brazil international has taken his game to the next level under Unai Emery since then and is continuing to attract interest.
Arsenal are still admirers of the former Manchester City midfielder and could test Aston Villa's resolve in January with another offer, but Luiz has other suitors in Europe who could scupper the Gunners' hopes of striking a deal.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona sporting director Deco is a big fan of Luiz and has identified the Aston Villa midfielder as the perfect successor to Sergio Busquets, who left the Catalan giants in the summer.
The report goes on to state that Barcelona believe Luiz has a market value of €60million (£52.1m) but accept Villa sporting director Monchi could demand a sum of €100m (£86.9m) for their midfield lynchpin, who signed a new long-term contract back in October.
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Luiz has been one of Aston Villa's most consistent performers this term, with the Midlands outfit currently in third place, just three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool ahead of the final round of fixtures in 2023.
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Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is a transfer target for both Arsenal and Barcelona (Eddie Keogh)Luiz's evolution over the past 18 months has not been lost on Mikel Arteta, who is keen to bolster Arsenal's squad in January. While defensive reinforcements are top of the Spaniard's agenda, a new central midfielder and a No.9 are also on his wishlist.
Arsenal attempted to sign Luiz on deadline day last summer after losing Thomas Partey and Mohamed Eleneny to long-term injuries. The latter has made just a single Premier League appearance this year, while Partey is still on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
Speaking shortly after seeing Arsenal's bids for Luiz rejected, Arteta admitted that time constraints prevented the club from thrashing out an agreement with Villa, who have since tied Luiz down to a new contract.
In September 2022, Arteta said: "We pushed to strengthen the team and bring the best possible people and players to this football club. We have managed to a certain level. Time was a big limitation with what happened in the last 72 hours in our midfield."