Arsenal ‘love’ Douglas Luiz with the club considering a January move to sign the Aston Villa midfielder.
Mikel Arteta wants to sign a central midfielder in the winter window and Luiz is at the top of Arsenal’s shortlist of options, with the Gunners having failed with a previous bid to sign the 25-year-old in 2022.
Luiz was named as Aston Villa’s Player of the Season after impressing as the club secured European football for the first time since 2010/11 last season, and has began the new campaign in fine form with five goals in 11 league games.
Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Luiz remains the ‘favourite option’ of the Arsenal board, as the north Londoners assess midfield targets.
However, a deal to sign the midfielder will be difficult with Villa reluctant to lose Luiz’s influence. The Brazil international signed a new long-term contract with the club in October 2022, shortly after Arsenal failed with a £25m bid for the player.
Arsenal are also admirers of Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi and sent scouts to watch the Spaniard in action during his side’s 3-1 win over Benfica in the Champions League this week.
The 24-year-old – who has a reported release clause of €50m (£43.6m) – was also watched by Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, according to 90min.
Arsenal are also said to have cast an eye over Benfica pair Florentino Luis and Joao Neves during the clash in San Sebastien.
