Arsenal are reportedly set to firm up their interest in Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz next week.
The Gunners are said to be long-term admirers of the Brazil international.
Arsenal reportedly tabled their interest back in the summer alongside Roma.
And in late December, ESPN claimed Mikel Arteta had Luiz on his radar ahead of the January transfer window opening.
Now, according to the Birmingham Mail, the Gunners will look to swoop in the final week of the transfer window.
It’ll be up to Villa if they decide to cash in on the 23-year-old, added the report.
Luiz’s contract at the Premier League club runs until the summer of 2023.
On Wednesday, Steven Gerrard revealed that Villa are yet to open new contract talks with Luiz.
“No, we haven’t opened contract talks yet with Douglas,” the Birmingham Mail quotes him as saying.
“I think in this period and in this window, it has been the case of trying to strengthen the current squad, make additions and, also, find destinations for some of our younger players in terms of loans.”
According to Il Romanista, the player has a 35m euro (around £29m) price tag.
“Ready to be one of the best midfield players in the Premier League”
Luiz has been in fine form for Villa over the course of the last two seasons.
Since arriving at the club from Manchester City for around £15m, he has established himself as a consistently excellent performer.
And based on comments from Gunners legend Ian Wright last season, it seems Luiz would be welcomed at Arsenal.
“Someone like Douglas Luiz, he is ready to be one of the best midfield players in the Premier League,” Wright said after Villa had beaten the Gunners 3-0.
“He is so underrated. They blasted us. We had no chance. It was men against boys.”