Why Arsenal could regret missing out on Arteta's 'dream' transfer

Suraj Radia

16 Jun 2024 12:30 BST
4 min read

Arsenal will look to bolster their midfield this summer on a tight budget and Mikel Arteta may regret seeing one of his long-term transfer targets move to another club in a bargain deal.

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The Gunners are aiming to strengthen in the hopes of avoiding a third successive season of narrowly missing out on the Premier League title and a partner to Declan Rice in midfield is thought to be one of their top priorities in the transfer window.

Jorginho had a strong end to the season which resulted in the 32-year-old signing a new one-year deal but Arsenal are still seeking a long-term successor for the Italian, along with a replacement for Thomas Partey, who is likely to be sold this summer.

The likes of Amadou Onana, Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi are among the names that have been linked but all three would cost Arsenal in excess of €60 million – an amount that could prove difficult due to PSR restrictions and the desire to also strengthen in attack.

Perhaps a source of frustration for Arsenal will be seeing Douglas Luiz on the verge of joining Juventus for a fee of less than €20m along with Samuel Iling Junior and Weston McKennie in exchange.

Arsenal had strongly pursued Luiz in recent years, with the player once described as Arteta's 'dream signing', but Aston Villa’s pricetag of more than €50m scuppered any hope of a deal and the 26-year-old is now set to leave for Italy in a bargain that the Gunners will perhaps look at in envy.

© IMAGO - Douglas Luiz is set to join Juventus from Aston Villa.

Villa choose to send Luiz abroad and dash Arsenal dreams

Luiz has been a standout performer for Villa since his €17m transfer from Manchester City in 2019, with the Brazil international having his best season ever last year, helping his side qualify for the Champions League.

STATS

Douglas Luiz

DM (CRL)

Aston Villa

Douglas Luiz

DM (CRL)

Aston Villa

53

Games
10

Goals
10

Assists

Villa have been forced to cash in on their star midfielder due to their own struggles with PSR and a creative transfer has been negotiated in order to balance the club’s books by the end of the month.

Crucially, Villa can demonstrate a strong profit on their asset while also avoiding Man City benefitting significantly from their sell-on clause on Luiz and also bringing Unai Emery’s side a replacement in McKennie as well as a young talent in Iling Junior.

Although Arsenal have players such as Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson, whom Villa have previously registered an interest in, being able to sell Luiz abroad instead of strengthening a top four rival may have been a factor in the club’s decision to accept Juve’s offer.

A Premier League-proven midfielder who can provide goals, assists and defensive pedigree would have been ideal for Arteta but Arsenal will have to find a new dream transfer to come true this summer.