Arsenal had a strong start to the summer transfer window addressing both the forward and defensive positions, which clearly needed strengthening towards the back of last season. Despite a good start to the window, more acquisitions are still needed.
The Gunners have been searching for a midfielder and a winger throughout the window without much success. However, Edu’s struggles in signing a midfielder could be about to change following the reported pursuit of Douglas Luiz.
A deal to sign Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz is actively being pursued, football.london understands. Sources at Villa have been insisting that Luiz will not be sold, but with under a year remaining on his current deal, a transfer cannot be ruled out.
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Another reason why Villa may be reluctant to sell the Brazilian at a low price is due to a potential sell-on clause. According to Birmingham Live's Aston Villa correspondent Ashley Preece, Manchester City are set to receive 20% from any sale for over £15million that Aston Villa earn from Douglas Luiz.
The Brazilian joined Villa ahead of the 2019/2020 season for a reported £15m from Manchester City. It was in this deal that a future sell-on clause was added.
Even with Arsenal starting the new Premier League season with wins over Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Bournemouth, Fulham and Aston Villa to sit top of the table with a 100 per cent record after five games, manager Mikel Arteta remains hopeful of adding to his squad before the 11pm deadline.
"The club has been super supportive to keep improving the squad and the team as we can," he said in the post-match press conference after his side beat Villa 2-1 thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. "If the right player is available and we can do it we will try."
Although, taking into consideration that Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are both currently sidelined through injury, a midfield signing might just be the priority on transfer deadline day.
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