Transfer Talk: Gunners set sights on Villans star Luiz

Arsenal have put themselves at the front of the queue in the race to sign Douglas Luiz.

The Aston Villa midfielder is reportedly their No1 target to beef up their options in the middle of the park.

It is an area of the pitch Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen with Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga likely to be his only central midfield options next season.

Mohamed Elneny is expected to leave this summer and Granit Xhaka could follow suit having been heavily linked with a move to Roma.

Aside from the obvious need for a striker, it is the main position that Arteta wants to bolster this summer and Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano believes Luiz is the player they will move for.

The Brazilian, 23, has impressed since his move from Manchester City in 2019 with the nine-cap international playing 95 times for the Villans, including 19 appearances this term.

Best deployed in a deeper role, Luiz has still notched three assists for Villa this season and continues to thrive under Steven Gerrard.

His current deal at Villa Park runs out in the summer of 2023 and the suggestion is he will not sign a new one.

That may mean the Midlands side opt to cash in on Luiz rather than losing him on a free transfer 12 months later.

In other news

Chelsea have tabled an improved contract offer to Antonio Rudiger as they try to keep him at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of this season, according to Goal.

Aston Villa will renew their interest in Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma this summer after seeing a £35million bid turned down in January, say the Athletic.

Finally, German media report that Ralf Rangnick wants Manchester United to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji.