Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed he asked Gabriel Jesus about Arsenal’s late transfer interest in Douglas Luiz.
The Aston Villa midfielder emerged as a target for the club during the closing stages of the transfer window after injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal made a series of bids, the third and final offer worth £25m, pitched to Villa just over an hour before the close of the window, though saw them all rejected.
Luiz now has less than a year to go on his contract at Villa Park and was pursued over Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Palmeiras star Danilo was another player eyed, though the Brazilian club stood firm.
Mikel Arteta is familiar with Luiz having worked with the 24-year-old while at Manchester City and the Brazil international remains of interest.
Still, Arsenal could now get a deal for a new midfielder over the line, while they also went without a winger amid interest in Wolves star Pedro Neto.
Amid the frenzy of deadline day, Zinchenko told transfer insider Fabrizio Romano that his interest in Luiz was piqued, so much so he asked Jesus about the Villa midfielder.
“I’m just focused on my team. I heard a couple of links to Douglas from Aston Villa. I don’t know what’s happening. I want to help you, I asked Gabby Jesus, he doesn’t know as well!” he told Romano’s Twitch stream.
Romano replied: “Ask Edu! It’s easier!”
