‘My understanding is’… What sources are now saying about Douglas Luiz potentially joining Arsenal

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Ben Jacobs has claimed that Arsenal won’t be able to fund a move for Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz in January.

The journalist has shared an update on Arsenal’s interest in the Brazilian and feels a deal will be out of their reach next month.

Mikel Arteta is expected to bolster his squad in the transfer window as he bids to deliver a Premier League title to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners could be on the lookout for a new striker as Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have failed to score regularly this term. 

Arsenal may be tempted to move for a defender too, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber sidelined. But a swoop for a new midfielder is yet to be ruled out and Douglas Luiz has been heavily linked with a switch to North London.

Fabrizio Romano has recently suggested the Gunners could go big with a move for the Aston Villa star.

Yet, Ben Jacobs doubts Arsenal will spend over £100 million on a player in the January transfer window.

Luiz too expensive for Arsenal

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs claimed that Villa will be looking for a fee worth over £100 million to sell Luiz next month. 

And the journalist doesn’t believe Arsenal would be willing to spend that type of money mid-season.

“My understanding is that from Villa’s point of view anyway, they will be fighting off any interest,” Jacobs said. “The valuation of Douglas Luiz is effectively a British record transfer, give or take, it would be £100m plus, and even then, they might still turn it down and revisit the situation in the summer.

“There’s no way that Arsenal are going to be dropping, in January, £100m plus on a player, so I don’t think personally and from talking to sources, it is going to be possible in January.

“I think that there won’t be a significant midseason push from the player even if interest does come calling because he’s very happy at the moment under Unai Emery, so he becomes, therefore, one that’s more viable in the summer.”

Luiz has excelled for Villa this season and has helped them to an exceptional start in the league. The Villains currently sit just one point behind Arteta’s side in third place. 

The Brazilian midfielder has been key to their early-season success, having registered seven goal involvements in 16 Premier League appearances.

It’s no secret that Arsenal want to bolster their midfield at some stage after the loss of Granit Xhaka over the summer.

Kai Havertz has stepped up well in recent weeks but Arsenal lack quality depth in the middle of the park.

Luiz would certainly come in and push for a place in the starting XI. But it would be a huge surprise to see him leave Villa while they’re fighting at the top end of the table.