Arsenal ambassador green lights 'great' £51m Premier League coup

Arsenal ambassador Gilberto Silva has admitted that a transfer swoop for highly-ratest Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz would be a 'great move' for the club this summer.

The Gunners legend spoke to LondonWorld at the Web Summit conference in Doha and was asked his thoughts on the Villa midfield linchpin. Earlier this month, Metro reported that Arsenal are 'long-term admirers' of the star and that Unai Emery's side is 'braced' for bids from London.

Silva, who played in a similar position to Douglas Luiz and is Brazilian compatriot, now works as an ambassador for the North London club. He said: "If not in the next season, at some point. He is progressing, improving and is very well adapted to the Premier League. He has proven himself that he can go to the next level.

"I personally really enjoy when a Brazilian player comes to the Premier League, which is the most difficult league to play. He is proving he can and is doing a great job.

"I'm happy to see that. It keeps the doors open for the market in Brazil. Why not to Arsenal next season? It will be a great move for the club and for him too."

Watch - Gilberto Silva exclusive: Edu talks, Martinelli wish and Arsenal Invincibles chat

Douglas Luiz joined Aston Villa from Manchester City in 2019 having made the switch to England from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama two years prior. He has gone on to rack up 189 appearances for the club, helping them rise to the Premier League's European spots.

Aston Villa would not let the player leave easily, with Luiz having put pen to paper on a 'long-term contract' in 2022 which is believed to have committed his future to Villa Park until 2026. The player is valued at £51 million by Transfermarkt.

When asked if he might return to work alongside Edu at Arsenal and weigh in on any future moves, Gilberto Silva replied: "It depends. At the moment Arsenal have a very good team working there with Edu. If there is something I can help with I'll be more than happy to be at the club but there is no need - they have a team of professional guys. I still come back to watch the games and support the club in their campaigns as Ambassador. Arsenal is a great place to be."