Liverpool and Manchester City have joined Arsenal in the race to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Arsenal have made Luiz their priority for the January transfer window as the Gunners look to bring in midfield reinforcements in the new year. The north Londoners have a long-standing interest in the Brazil international, having failed with three bids to sign Luiz in 2022.
The 25-year-old was named as Villa’s Player of the Season in 2022/23 as Unai Emery’s side secured European qualification, while he has started the current campaign in excellent form with five goals and two assists in 13 league appearances.
90min are reporting that Arsenal are not the only side interested in Luiz however, with both Liverpool and Manchester City keen.
Liverpool are targeting a defensive midfielder with Alexis Mac Allister having been used in an unfamiliar anchor role so far this season. The Reds are reported to have expressed interest in signing Luiz should he become available, but have received no encouragement that Villa are open to a sale.
Manchester City, meanwhile, expect Kalvin Phillips to depart in January and could re-sign Luiz to bolster their midfield stocks. Luiz signed for the Citizens from Vasco da Gama in 2016, but failed to make a senior appearance for the club before joining Villa for a fee of around £15m.
Villa are understood to have no interest in selling Luiz mid-season, as the club compete for a place in next season’s Champions League. Emery’s side climbed into the Premier League’s top four after beating Spurs at the weekend and are now just two points behind leaders Arsenal.
