Arsenal still keen on replacing Thomas Partey with Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz

Arsenal will renew their interest in signing Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz during the January transfer window as the club look to add midfield depth.

The Gunners failed with two bids for Luiz on deadline day but are expected to return in the winter window.

Luiz has entered the final season of his contract at Villa and Arsenal are hopeful that a cut-price agreement can be reached, with Steven Gerrard’s side facing the prospect of losing Luiz on a free transfer next summer.

Mikel Arteta is understood to have concerns over Thomas Partey’s ongoing fitness issues and wants to add more depth to his engine room, after the Ghana midfielder picked up another problem while on international duty this week.

The Sun are reporting that Arsenal’s bid for Luiz in January is set to be less than the £23m offered during the summer, given the short time remaining on the midfielder’s contract. The north Londoners believe a figure in the region of £15m is reasonable for the Brazil international.

Luiz has started just two Premier League fixtures this season after losing his place in the Villa side to summer signing Boubacar Kamara.

The 24-year-old is keen on a move to the Emirates, where he would unite with international teammates Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. The midfielder also worked alongside Arteta during his time at Manchester City.

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