Douglas Luiz to Arsenal move: Tottenham battle, offers rejected, Villa stance

Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa has emerged as a potential midfield signing before the summer transfer window slams shut tonight, with the Brazilian having been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past.

Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal over the last 18 months.

The Gunners pursued Luiz towards the end of last year's summer transfer window, seeing three offers rejected by Villa. The Brazilian international had been into the final 12 months of his contract at Villa Park at the time but he has since penned a new deal, giving his current suitors more leverage in any potential transfer.

But that hasn't stopped Mikel Arteta's side from being linked so below football.london has taken a look at all the latest speculation on the 25-year-old's future below.

Fresh links

Now, the Sun have reported that Arsenal will battle with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Luiz this summer.

Their report claims that Spurs will target the Brazilian international if they sell holding midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer whilst the Gunners are eyeing a fresh move for the player they tried to sign last year.

Contract signed

After plenty of speculation surrounding his future, Luiz signed a new long-term contract at Villa Park back in October 2022.

Villa said in a statement: “Aston Villa are delighted to announce that Douglas Luiz has signed a new long-term contract with the club. The 24-year-old midfielder joined Villa in the summer of 2019 and has gone on to rack up over a century of appearances in claret and blue.

"A Brazilian international, Luiz was a gold medal-winner with his country at the 2020 Olympics."

Third offer rejected

The Gunners then made a third offer for Luiz on deadline day last summer, but it was also rebuffed. The Athletic's David Ornstein reported: "Arsenal understood to have made 3rd offer for Douglas Luiz. Latest proposal said to be £25m.

"Aston Villa adamant he’s is not leaving. 24yo did #AVFC recovery session today & has been in Birmingham this eve. #AFC still pushing."

Two bids

Arsenal then followed up these negotiations with an offer of £20million, which was swiftly rejected by Villa, as per the Daily Mail.

This was then followed up by a bid of £23million plus add-ons which was also turned down.

Arsenal start negotiations

Arsenal started negotiations over a deal to sign Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz last summer, according to Brazil football reporter Matheus Leal.

Leal wrote in a post on Twitter at the time: "Arsenal is another strong team in the fight for Douglas Luiz. The London team has already started negotiations with the midfielder and counts on Edu Gaspar as an asset to get the contract.

"The interest and attention shown by Mikel Arteta attracts the player."