Four huge clubs battling for Douglas Luiz on Transfer Deadline Day
Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz will be one of the major talking points on Transfer Deadline Day, with the Brazil international midfielder tracked by no fewer than four leading clubs.
The 24-year-old has struggled for game time in the early part of the season and has only started one of Villa’s five Premier League fixtures. Nevertheless, he has over 100 Premier League appearances to his credit, making the former Girona player a valuable commodity.
This is reflected in the calibre of club that is chasing him into the final hours of the transfer window.
Sky Sports reports that four huge clubs are ready to open negotiations with the defensive midfielder.
Arsenal
The Gunners have bene searching for an additional midfield reinforcement for much of the summer, but some of the heat has come out of their chase since the season began due to the outstanding form for Granit Xhaka. With Thomas Partey having picked up an injury at the weekend, they could return to the market, with Douglas Luiz seen as a similar type of player.
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s side are seeking to make another push to win La Liga, and one of the areas in which they appear short is the holding midfield sector. This is an area of their side that Douglas Luiz could undoubtedly enhance. Otherwise, their squad looks well stacked.
Chelsea
Chelsea have been forced to work late in the transfer window in order to get their business done due to the takeover of the club in the early part of the summer. They have already moved to secure Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana, while Douglas Luiz would fit into their plans. The Blues are signing talents before they have peaked, and ideally boasting Premier League experience. The South American checks both boxes.
Douglas Luiz vs Premier League midfielders: Defensive positioning 2022/23
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has admitted that it was a mistake not to look more intently for another midfielder earlier in the transfer window and now he has lost Jordan Henderson due to injury. This could hasten Liverpool’s search for a reinforcement, but the Anfield club will not be drawn into signing a player they do not wish or paying over the odds for one they do want. It seems unlikely they would get drawn into a Deadline Day bidding war like this.