Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz “remains” a target for Arsenal, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Writing in his Daily Briefing Substack column, Romano said that the Gunners are still “monitoring” the Brazilian international, well over a year since they had three bids rejected for the player
Supporters on X are not particularly happy that Arsenal are still interested in Luiz, with many feeling that the London club should be more ambitious with the type of players they are recruiting:
Absolutely no need for luiz, we have moved past him as a club, we need top signings
— S (@SamPasquale_) October 16, 2023
Why do we keep doing this… they won't take us to next level
— Dann Wasike (@DannWasike) October 16, 2023
No Need for Luiz
— we-built-this-schmidddi (@Schmidddi) October 16, 2023
No thank you! We've moved beyond Luiz. Fofana and Moscardo pls thank you.
— ZeeGooner (@zelda5_iam) October 16, 2023
I will stop being an arsenal fan if Edu ever signs Luiz
Why’s he obsessed with him ? We’ve grown past Douglas Luiz now ffs— ::: Bekee 👅🍭 (@TheGirlBekee) October 16, 2023
This is getting absurd.
We can't keep looking at the same targets as when we were in the middle of a rebuild. We're better positioned as a club.
It's like still being interested in Calvet-Lewin when we can get Osimhen. Get Moscardo instead of Luiz. Estevao instead of Neto.
— Count Laviano (@wineofthesoul) October 16, 2023
Pedro Neto – I like
Luiz – i don't— Allen☯ (@afc_allen01) October 16, 2023
Edu’s Brazilian connections come to the fore once again
The continued interest in Luiz is likely due to the strong contacts that sporting director Edu has with Brazilian players.
It seems as if the 25-year-old’s agent is keeping in touch with the Arsenal supremo, despite the fact that Luiz only signed a new long-term contract with Villa in October last year.
Who else are Arsenal targeting?
In addition to Luiz, Romano has confirmed reports from elsewhere that Wolves’s Pedro Neto is back on the club’s radar after a strong start to the campaign. It is thought that the Portuguese international could provide cover for Bukayo Saka on the right flank. His asking price, however, could be a major stumbling block in getting a deal agreed.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has been suggested as an alternative but the winger isn’t expected to leave Germany after recently signing a new deal.