Arsenal eye Douglas Luiz as Arteta considers transfer for Aston Villa star in search for new holding midfielder

ARSENAL could pursue Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz as Mikel Arteta targets a new holding midfielder. 

Boss Arteta is chasing more proven ability in the centre and up front.

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Aston Villa’s Brazil star Douglas Luiz has been one of the Prem’s most improved players, leading to interest from Arsenal[/caption]

And nine-cap Brazil star Luiz is tipped as a major option after a brilliant first half to the season.

Villa would expect a huge sum for the 23-year-old after his surge in influence since arriving from Manchester City for £15million two years ago.

But Gunners legend Ian Wright believes Luiz is just what Arteta needs.

After Villa won 3-0 at the Emirates in November 2020, Wrighty said: “Someone like Douglas Luiz, he is ready to be one of the best midfield players in the Premier League. He is so under-rated.”

Arsenal face losing Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey to the African Cup of Nations later this month.And wideman Ainsley Maitland-Niles appears certain to move, with Roma strong favourites to land the 24-year-old.

Luiz has joined Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria on Arteta’s apparent wishlist.

Switzerland ace Zakaria is understood to have told the German giants he will depart in the summer.

The Gunners are long-time admirers of the 25-year-old.

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But a string of leading European clubs are on alert, including Newcastle, as he will be available for free when his contract runs out in the summer. 

Arteta is equally keen to find a ready-made replacement for strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 32, and Alexandre Lacazette, 30. 

Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, Fiorentina hero Dusan Vlahovic, Everton frotnman Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Villa goalgetter Ollie Watkins are regarded as major options.

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