---
title: "Arsenal: Douglas Luiz may ‘end up joining’ the Gunners"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-douglas-luiz-transfer-news-latest-rumours-arteta/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2022-09-26T17:15:58Z"
modified: "2022-09-26T17:15:58Z"
---

# Arsenal: Douglas Luiz may ‘end up joining’ the Gunners

**[Arsenal](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-news/) transfer target Douglas Luiz could ‘end up joining’ the Gunners, according to journalist Simon Phillips.**

### **The Lowdown: Deadline Day frustration**

The Brazil international shot to prominence with [heavy speculation](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1565306496291840002) on the final day of the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta sought to bring in a new central midfielder before the 11pm deadline.

According to [football.london](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-news-douglas-luiz-transfer-24905206), the Gunners made three deadline day bids for the 24-year-old – starting with £20m and culminating with a [final £25m offer](https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/12686825/arsenals-improved-23m-douglas-luiz-bid-rejected-as-aston-villa-sign-leander-dendoncker-from-wolves). However, much to Arsenal’s frustration, [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) rivals Aston Villa remained firm on their reported [£40m asking price](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/douglas-luiz-arsenal-transfer-news-b2157702.html).

Despite this, [Luiz’s contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/douglas-luiz/profil/spieler/447661) with the Midlands outfit expires next summer, so he will be able to speak with clubs from abroad in the near future about a potential free transfer.

### **The Latest: Phillips’ claim**

Amid [rumours](https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/12686825/arsenals-improved-23m-douglas-luiz-bid-rejected-as-aston-villa-sign-leander-dendoncker-from-wolves) that Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool were also keen on securing the midfielder’s signature, Phillips still believes that Luiz will end up signing for Arsenal.

Speaking with [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88063558-arsenal-unbelievable-40m-star-will-end-up-joining-at-the-emirates), the journalist claimed: “The situation there if he does become a free agent, Chelsea will probably have a look at it. But I think he’ll end up joining Arsenal.”

\[freshpress-poll id=”408413″\]

### **The Verdict: Great prospective addition**

Having arrived at Villa Park in [2019](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/douglas-luiz/profil/spieler/447661) after a loan move to Girona from parent club Manchester City, Luiz has gone on to become a great servant to the Midlands outfit with [118 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/douglas-luiz/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/447661) for the club. Consequently, he has won [nine caps](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/douglas-luiz/nationalmannschaft/spieler/447661/verein_id/3439) for the Brazil national team.

However, the 24-year-old seems to have fallen out of favour at Villa. Despite featuring in [six out of seven](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/douglas-luiz/leistungsdaten/spieler/447661) Premier League games so far this season, the midfielder has started just twice, often coming on as a substitute for the final 15 to 20 minutes.

\[freshpress-poll id=”410879″\]

Therefore, Luiz – who has previously been hailed as [‘unbelievable’](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/douglas-luiz-pep-guardiola-villa-18495162) by his former Villa boss Dean Smith – may want to see out the rest of his contract with the Villains, potentially opting to join Arsenal on a free transfer next summer instead.

Given that Arteta is not overflowing with [central midfield options](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/kadernachposition/verein/11), and that the 24-year-old [ranks highly](https://fbref.com/en/players/6f7d826d/scout/365_euro/Douglas-Luiz-Scouting-Report) among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for pressures, goal-creating actions and corner kick deliveries, the Brazilian could be a tremendous prospective addition at the Emirates Stadium.