Luiz has truly flourished at Villa Park under Unai Emery’s guidance. Previously confined to a holding midfielder role, he had limited opportunities to showcase his skills. However, Emery’s influence has unleashed his attacking potential by deploying him in a more advanced midfield role, occasionally positioning him ahead of the defensive line.
Last season, Luiz demonstrated his prowess, tallying six goals and six assists. Notably, he contributed two goals and an assist in the last three games against Tottenham, Liverpool, and Brighton, where Villa secured two wins and a draw.
This season, his impressive form has persisted, already notching five goals and an assist in the league, along with another assist in the Europa Conference League. This outstanding performance has attracted attention from prominent clubs, particularly Arsenal.
Arsenal had previously pursued Luiz, but Villa rejected their offers, including a final bid of £25 million. However, recent reports suggest that Luiz is now the primary target for Arsenal in the upcoming January transfer window.
Fabrizio Romano, a renowned transfer insider, has revealed Arsenal’s strong interest in Luiz, emphasizing that he has been on their radar for over two years. Arsenal views him as an ideal midfielder for their playing style due to his intensity and skill set.
Additional reports emphasize Arsenal’s determination to secure Luiz, given their midfield concerns, including Thomas Partey’s injury proneness and an aging midfield unit. Manager Arteta and club executives are aligned in their pursuit, with Arteta intent on pushing for Luiz’s acquisition in January.
Despite Villa’s purported valuation of £60 million, more than double Arsenal’s previous offer, Arsenal appears close to the ballpark figure with their readiness to spend up to £50 million on a single player. They might explore negotiations if Villa indicates any flexibility regarding the price.
However, Villa seems firm on retaining Luiz, as Romano highlights their reluctance to let him go in January. This stance might compel Arsenal to engage in a challenging negotiation, potentially pushing Villa to reconsider their valuation, given Luiz’s integral role in their squad.