Arsenal to ‘revive interest’ in top performing Premier League star who they tried to sign in 2022

Arsenal’s recruitment team have reportedly turned their attention back to an in-form Premier League star who they tried to sign during the summer of 2022. Mikel Arteta is keen to add another midfielder to the ranks to increase his team’s chances of Premier League glory after a close fought title race last season.

90min reports Arsenal are looking at a number of options but the player at the top of the list is believed to be Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz. Arsenal previously tried to sign Luiz at the very back-end of the summer 2022 transfer window, making three bids - the highest coming in at £25m - for the Brazil international. However, they were all rejected by Aston Villa and he ended up staying in the West Midlands.

Arteta and Sporting Director Edu Gaspar are both believed to be huge admirers of the midfielder who has won nine caps for Brazil’s national team so far. Arteta in particular has known of Luiz’s talents for some time and the Spainard worked with him for two years at Manchester City from 2017 to 2019, although the midfielder did not play a first team game for the Citizens due to permit issues.

Luiz has been an ever-present for Aston Villa’s first team since his arrival in 2019 and has already amassed over 150 first team appearances for the club.

The 25-year-old was initially seen as a defensive-minded midfielder who operated just in front of the backline. However, in recent seasons he has shown that he can add more goals to his game - he scored six goals in 37 appearances last term and is on course to eclipse that figure this year with five goals from his opening nine games.

Luiz has shown huge signs of improvement since the arrival of Unai Emery as manager and is a clear fan favourite at Villa Park after winning the Supporters Player of the Season last term.

He has helped Villa to accumulate 19 points from their opening nine games and fired in an excellent double against West Ham in his last outing. Emery is determined to keep the player at the club as they aim to push for a Champions League spot, whilst also chasing silverware through the Europa Conference League.

Luiz signed an extension to his contract last summer which keeps him at Villa Park until 2026. He is likely to be worth significantly more than the figure that Arsenal were previously bidding back in 2022.

Elsewhere the Gunners have also joined the race for Liverpool target Andre of Fluminese and Valencia prodigy Javi Guerra who is a target of Newcastle and Man Utd, according to 90min.