Pep Guardiola’s Douglas Luiz comments will excite Arsenal fans if Gunners launch £30m bid

Arteta gives update on Arsenal's transfer plans ahead of Deadline Day

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Arsenal fans have every right to be excited about the potential signing of Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz after the double transfer disappointment of Arthur Melo and Bruno Guimaraes, who both seem to have slipped away this month. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has shared his feelings on Luiz in the past, and if his opinion is anything to value, as it definitely is suggested by his bulging trophy cabinet, then the Gunners could yet get hold of a serious talent. 

The Brazilian joined City as a teenager, spending two years in the north west without seeing the pitch because of work permit issues.

Villa then moved to sign him for £15million in 2019, where he quickly showed his quality, and City’s £27.5m buyback clause came to light. 

Although the Sky Blues mulled over the prospect of re-signing the midfielder, the option expired in June last year, and Arsenal now look to be preparing a bid for the 23-year-old. 

According to the Evening Standard, Villa have already rejected a £30m bid this month from an unnamed Premier League side, but the Gunners still have him in their sights, and could up the stakes. 

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That much may not be surprising as Mikel Arteta spent two years working with Luiz as Guardiola’s right-hand man at the Etihad. 

And the City boss delivered a glowing review of the Villa man when the two sides faced off in April last year. 

“He’s a guy who’s played a lot of minutes, he’s an important player for Aston Villa,” said Guardiola.

“A guy who’s clever with the ball, he’s so physical and strong.

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“I’m happy he’s developing really, really well.

“Today, when he was involved in the game defensively, he was good.”

When asked if City would exercise their buyback clause in the following weeks, Guardiola refused to rule it out, instead vying to ‘make a decision’ in the summer. 

Although the Sky Blues ultimately opted against re-signing Luiz, the fact that he was under consideration is a testament to his quality considering the wealth of world-class options at the Catalan’s disposal. 

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Even better for Arsenal is that Luiz seems to have kicked on again since Guardiola’s glowing review, with Villa’s midfield trio performing strongly since Steven Gerrard’s November appointment. 

But the prospect of executing the transfer rests on Villa’s willingness to let him go, with Gerrard suggesting that this January is about strengthening the squad. 

Losing a regular starter may not be what the former Liverpool captain had in mind, but with Morgan Sanson on the bench and murmurs of Rodrigo Bentancur’s arrival from Juventus, they could soon have enough cover to cash in on Luiz. 

With Monday’s deadline fast approaching and Arteta keen on an extra body in midfield, the right circumstances could soon present themselves for the Gunners to strike. 

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