Arsenal's long-term target valued at £85m by Aston Villa

Douglas Luiz has been making waves in the 2023/24 season with his remarkable performances on the pitch. The 24-year-old has scored an impressive 10 goals and provided 10 assists across all competitions, showcasing his immense talent and value to the team. Luiz's outstanding form has not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal showing keen interest in acquiring the midfielder's services.

Recognising Luiz's importance to the squad, Aston Villa has taken a firm stance by placing a hefty £85 million price tag on the Brazilian ahead of the summer transfer window (Source: Goal). This decision comes after the club rejected three bids from Arsenal in September 2022, with the final offer reaching around £25 million.

By securing Luiz with a new contract until 2026, the Villans have demonstrated their determination to keep their star player at Villa Park. Luiz himself has expressed his satisfaction with the situation according to DAZN Portugal. He said (via football.london):

"Personally, I’m very happy with it all and I think it’s just the start of a new chapter. As I always say, Aston Villa is a huge club and we’re prepared to write a new chapter."

The midfielder's contentment at the club is a positive sign for Aston Villa fans, who will be eager to see him continue his impressive form in the coming seasons.

Despite the setback of having their bids rejected, Arsenal remains keen on acquiring Douglas Luiz's services. However, the Gunners' primary focus this summer is on signing a new striker, which could potentially impact their pursuit of the Brazilian midfielder.

The £85 million valuation set by Aston Villa may prove to be a significant hurdle for Arsenal, especially if they prioritise investing heavily in a top-class forward.

One possible scenario is that Arsenal could choose to sign a striker this summer and postpone their pursuit of Luiz until 2025 when he enters the final year of his contract at Villa.

This approach could allow the Gunners to negotiate a more favourable deal for the midfielder, as clubs are often more willing to sell players nearing the end of their contracts to avoid losing them on a free transfer.

Douglas Luiz's future remains a topic of intense speculation. While Aston Villa has made their intentions clear with the substantial price tag, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal or any other club will be willing to meet their demands.

His performances have undoubtedly caught the attention of several top clubs, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming months.

For now, Douglas Luiz continues to shine on the pitch, proving his worth as one of the Premier League's most exciting midfield talents. His ability to contribute both goals and assists has been a key factor in Aston Villa's success this season, and the club will be hoping to keep him at Villa Park for the foreseeable future.