Transfer Centre

Arsenal 'not expected to move for Douglas Luiz in January'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 28 October 2023

Arsenal are not planning to move for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz during the January transfer window, according to a report.

Arsenal are reportedly not planning to move for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz during the January transfer window despite the recent rumours surrounding the Brazilian.

The 25-year-old has long been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium, and it has been suggested that the Gunners could reignite their interest at the start of 2024.

However, according to Football Insider, Mikel Arteta's side are not currently planning a move for him in the middle of the 2023-24 campaign.

The report claims that Arsenal will continue to monitor Luiz's performances with a view to potentially making a bid during next summer's transfer window.

However, a January move is highly unlikely unless Jorginho or Thomas Partey depart in the winter.

Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz celebrates scoring against West Ham United on October 22, 2023 © Reuters

Luiz has been in impressive form for Villa during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring six goals in 15 appearances in all competitions, with five of those efforts coming in the Premier League.

Unai Emery's side have made an impressive start to the season, picking up 19 points from nine Premier League matches to sit in fifth position in the table.

Villa are unbeaten in their last five matches, four of which have been wins, while they will enter Sunday's game with Luton Town off the back of a 4-1 success away to AZ in the Europa Conference League.

Luiz played 69 minutes of the clash with AZ, and he has not missed a single match for the club this season, with his standout performance arguably coming last weekend, when he scored twice in Villa's 4-1 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League.

Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz celebrates scoring their second goal with Leon Bailey and Jhon Duran on September 17, 2023 © Reuters

The midfielder made the move to Villa from Manchester City in 2019, and he has represented the club on 166 occasions in all competitions, scoring 18 goals and registering 14 assists in the process.

Arsenal are said to be keen to bring in another midfielder to play alongside Declan Rice, with Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni said to be their leading target.

However, it will be difficult to convince Los Blancos to sell the France international, who has been a vital player for the capital giants this season.

Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is also allegedly a target, but the Gunners could face competition from Manchester United and Barcelona for his signature.