Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal.
With time running out before the summer transfer window slams shut, Edu and Mikel Arteta are reportedly working hard behind the scenes to try and thrash out a deal. Luiz could come in and challenge Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka for a starting spot in Arteta's side with the Villa midfielder now in the final year of his deal at Villa Park.
With that being said, football.london takes a look at all the latest speculation on the 24-year-old midfielder's potential move to the Emirates Stadium.
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Third offer rejected
Arsenal have made a third offer for Luiz on deadline day, but it has been rejected, according to reports.
The Athletic's David Ornstein reports: "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."
In an update, The Sun's Jack Rosser said: "Arsenal's third bid for Luiz has been rejected too."
Aston Villa stance
Sources at Villa have stated that the club's stance is that Luiz will not be sold.
It remains to be seen if this will change as history indicates anything can happen during the final hours on deadline day.
Arsenal start negotiations
Arsenal have already started negotiations over a deal to sign Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz, according to Brazil football reporter Matheus Leal.
Leal wrote in a post on Twitter: "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."
Arsenal audition
Luiz scored a freak corner kick goal against the Gunners in Villa's 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. The Brazilian had an impressive cameo after coming on as a substitute and would've caught the eye of the Arsenal hierarchy with his spectacular equaliser.
Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu are on the search for a new midfielder to add to Arsenal's squad before the transfer deadline, and Luiz's performance may have put him top of the shortlist.
Steven Gerrard admission
Following Aston Villa's 2-1 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Villa boss Steven Gerrard commented on Luiz's ongoing contract situation.
Gerrard said: "I am not in control of that. There are more than two people in control of that, and I am certainly not one of them.
"That will be Douglas, that will be his agent, that will be what happens. I would like to keep him, he is a fantastic player.
"I have 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 got a year to go, and it is one of those really touchy situations where the club has to do what is best for the club, not necessarily what is best for me."
£20million bid 'imminent'
A 'mystery club' are set to make an official offer of £20m for Douglas Luiz today, according to Sky Sports.
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been tracking the Brazil international, with the latter two teams in desperate need of a new midfielder after being hampered by injuries in that area of the pitch.
football.london understands that he is among a list of players that the Gunners have looked at in the past, with January 2022 the last time he was seriously considered by Edu and Co.
Aston Villa new contract
Aston Villa are hoping to convince Douglas Luiz to stay at the club by offering the midfielder a new contract, according to The Daily Mail.
Luiz's current deal will expire next summer and clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are all weighing up his situation ahead of deadline day on Thursday.
Arsenal offered Luiz
Arsenal have been offered Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, sources have told Football Insider.
The 24-year-old’s camp are working on finding him a new club on deadline day after he failed to agree a new Villa contract.
The Midlands giants have held extensive talks with Luiz over an extended deal but have yet to secure an agreement.
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