And why wouldn’t he be?
Under Unai Emery, Aston Villa are aiming higher than they ever have in the four years since Douglas Luiz joined the Midland giants from Manchester City back in 2019, with Champions League football seemingly a genuine possibility in the near future. Luiz, labelled ‘absolutely brilliant’ by the usually stoic Roy Keane after a typically sublime assist against Tottenham Hotspur, has been one of Villa’s top performers in the Emery era, his all-action displays catching the eye of Liverpool and Arsenal among others, per 90Min and Fabrizio Romano.
As far as Luiz is concerned, however, such speculation is a source of pride. Confirmation of his excellent recent form. But little more than that.
Liverpool and Arsenal linked with Douglas Luiz “I see them, but I don’t focus on that and I’m not looking at it every day. My head is here at Aston Villa.”
According to Football Transfers, Aston Villa have slapped a staggering £110 million price-tag on Luiz’s head, their hardline stance strengthened by the fact that Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Jack Grealish have all joined Premier League clubs for nine-figure sums over the last two years.
Arsenal broke the £100 million barrier themselves when Declan Rice arrived from West Ham United in the summer. Romano is expecting the Gunners to make a move for Luiz in the winter, though he can see a similar resolution to the Moises Caicedo saga of January of 2023. ‘Reminds me of the Moises Caicedo situation’ “It reminds me of the Moises Caicedo situation last January transfer window when Arsenal really wanted Caicedo. They made multiple bids to sign him and then, at the end, it was not possible.”
“I still think Arsenal will try to sign Douglas Luiz, even if it will be very difficult. Aston Villa don’t want to sell him.”
Douglas Luiz is ‘very happy’ about the speculation linking him with Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool but insists he is loving life at Aston Villa.
“I am very happy to hear the stories,” the Brazil international tells Sky Sports. “But I am here at Aston Villa. My focus is totally here. I don’t spend a lot of time looking at the stories.
“Douglas Luiz keeps being linked strongly with Arsenal ahead of January,” Romano tells Caught Offside. “But I think it’s going to be a tough one.
