Tottenham are “more likely suitors” for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz than Arsenal, according to the Daily Express reporter Ryan Taylor.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the journalist said that the Gunners don’t currently have the money to finance a move for the 25-year-old:

“I think Tottenham will probably be the more likely suitors for him. Because at the moment, I don’t really envisage Arsenal having the kind of money to hand that Villa would require and obviously [Pierre Emile] Hojbjerg is probably going to head to Atlético Madrid as well.”

Luiz has been a target for Arsenal before, with Mikel Arteta’s side having had three bids turned down for the player last summer.

However, the Brazilian, who has been capped nine times by his country, is unlikely to be a priority unless Thomas Partey were to leave the club.

Arteta has declared that he wants Partey to remain at Arsenal

Despite the speculation surrounding the Ghanaian international’s future recently, Arteta says he is not looking to sell him:

“Without a question of a doubt [I want him to stay]. Thomas is a super important player for us and for me. I want him to be part of the team.”

Whether that resolve will soften if the Gunners receive a £40m bid for Partey from Saudi Arabia, we shall have to wait and see.

The club are focused on recruiting a winger

Although the club have been linked with a fair number of central midfielders over the past month or so, with Romeo Lavia and Bitello having been mentioned along with Luiz, it looks as though Arsenal are more interested in buying a winger at the moment.

Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise is on the club’s radar, while Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus could also be considered as the club look at options to provide competition for Bukayo Saka.