Liverpool have been dealt a potential blow in their reported 'pursuit' of Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
The Reds have been linked with a move for the Aston Villa midfielder in the final days of the transfer window. Liverpool have until 11pm this evening to formally complete any deals they undertake before the window slams shut.
Reports from Brazil earlier in the week claimed that Liverpool could make a move for Luiz before the window closes. Now there has been an update on the future of the midfielder.
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According to Brazil football reporter Matheus Leal, Arsenal are set to join the race to sign Luiz. Leal was the source who initially claimed that Liverpool were interested in the Villa midfielder.
The report goes on to say that there is expected to be a battle to sign Luiz before the window closes. It has been claimed that Arsenal have already started negotiations for the player, and sporting director Edu could help the Gunners have an advantage given his connections with Brazil.
Villa boss Steven Gerrard has spoken about Luiz’s future, following their defeat to Arsenal. The Liverpool legend admitted the future of the midfielder is out of his hands.
"I'm not in control of that," Gerrard told Birmingham Live . "There's two people, well, there's more than two people who are in control of that, but I'm certainly not one of them.
"That will be Douglas, that will be his agent and that will be what happens around that. I'd like to keep him, he's a fantastic player, I've made that abundantly clear.
“We are not in [a] position where we need to lose our top players, but at the same time Douglas has a year to go and it is one of them really touchy situations where the club has to do what is best for the club, not necessarily what is best for me."
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