Arsenal told to target £50m Premier League star as club's FFP concerns could see sale

Arsenal have a long list of transfer hopes this upcoming window and while goal-scorer Joshua Zirkzee may be slipping out of the Gunners’ grip, the N7 side could be on the way to finding a new mifielder.

Mikel Arteta has been seeking a midfield partner for Declan Rice with Thomas Partey’s departure from the club expected in the coming weeks. Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi appears to be the front runner for the role with the Gunners also eyeing up Everton’s Amadou Onana.

However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reminded the Emirates club of their former admiration for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, reporting that as he was close to joining the north London side two years, it is easily conceivable that the Gunners will return to attempt to prise him away from Villa Park again.

The Gunners have long been fans of the Brazilian’s work and this is only believed to have increased since Unai Emery’s arrival at the Birmingham-based club. The former Manchester City starlet has significantly increased his own game and became an integral part of Villa’s Champions League-achieving campaign.

However, with the Villa Park side needing to sell players in order to avoid any Financial Fair Play punishments, Romano has once again linked the title challengers with a move for the 26-year-old.

Taking to his Daily Briefing column, the Italian journalist said: "[Douglas] Luiz has always been appreciated by Arsenal and he was close to joining them two years ago, so let’s see if they decide to return or not, though at the moment they are not actively working on this one.

"Still, Luiz looks like one to watch for Juve, Arsenal, and maybe other clubs too because for Villa, the Brazilian midfielder could be one to watch in terms of possible outgoings to stay in line with Financial Fair Play.”

Luiz scored nine goals, registered five assists and built up an overall Whoscored.com rating of 6.95 for his performances last season and, as such, Aston Villa would be demanding £50 million for his signature. The club will not be keen to part ways with their star central midfielder, but with interest from the Gunners, Juventus and AC Milan all mounting, it may soon be a decision that is out of their hands.

The 26-year-old Brazilian first joined Villa in 2019 from City. Due to work visa permits, Luiz did not make a single appearances for the Citizens but he has since shined for the Villans, making 175 league appearances for the side and scoring 20 goals in the process. The midfielder has also secured 14 international caps so far, winning a gold medal with Brazil in the Summer 2020 Olympics.