Arsenal have now been quoted a cut-price for a midfielder Mikel Arteta is thought to have admired for a long while.
As part of the club’s plans to bridge the gap to Manchester City, Arteta wants Arsenal to sign a new striker, a new midfielder and a starting left-back.
Three sensible signings, and Edu will already be working diligently to execute those ambitions, with Arsenal already sending a bid for RB Leipzig centre-forward Benjamin Sesko.
Otherwise, it doesn’t seem as if Arsenal’s plans to sign a midfielder and defender have resulted in a bid just yet, even if there are several players on their radar.
And although signing a striker will be immensely important, it seems whoever comes in will play a back-up role to Kai Havertz, allowing time and patience to develop.
But any midfield signing will be intended to start, someone to play alongside Declan Rice – likely a number six.
And with that in mind, Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz has often been thought to be the club’s priority signing over the last year or so, a player Arteta and Edu both ‘dream’ of signing.
Arsenal told Aston Villa would sell Douglas Luiz for half-price this summer
Fortunately for those in north London, Aston Villa are said to be willing to sell Luiz this summer owing to their PSR limitations, a considerable change in stance.
And perhaps as a result of that need to raise funds, both Arsenal and Juventus – the two most interested clubs, have been quoted a significantly lower asking price than in the past.
Previously, Villa wanted as much as £100m for Luiz, likely citing Arsenal’s deal for Rice.
However, according to Brazilian source Lance, Unai Emery’s middle man will cost just £50m this summer.
The report confirms that Arsenal are still very interested, and perhaps the club will be buoyed by this update which could present an irresistible opportunity.
It seems odd to consider that Villa would be forced to sell Luiz following their Champions League qualification.
However, Premier League sides recently rejected the club’s proposal to increase PSR losses by £30m, meaning the club will likely need to raise capital before June 30.
And somewhat surprisingly, Luiz has emerged as the most obvious asset to sell, perhaps because Emery would refuse to lose Ollie Watkins.
All that being said, one Arteta signing who only left Arsenal just a year ago is now back up for sale.
