Aston Villa are now braced to receive bids for several star players with Unai Emery’s side fearful that clubs will eye the transfer of long-time Arsenal target, Douglas Luiz.
The 25-year-old has been an essential cog in the Villans’ squad as they look to claim a shock place in the Champions League. But the Premier League stamping down on any breaches of its profit and sustainability rules (PSR) has put the frighteners on multiple top-flight squads.
Everton and Nottingham Forest have both fallen foul of breaching PSR and may now receive points deductions. The Toffees have also already lost six points, down from their original 10. So, the Daily Mail reports that Aston Villa fear clubs will raid them with financial rules biting.
Aston Villa fear bids for long-time Arsenal target Douglas Luiz
Aston Villa have invested heavily to give Emery the weapons to put them in the conversation for the Champions League. The Birmingham natives also intend to invest further funds in the summer sales. But the Villans might have to sell some star names to avoid falling foul of PSR.
Transfers for homegrown hero Jacob Ramsey and long-time Arsenal target Luiz would yield Aston Villa large sums. The Villans slapped a £50m price tag on the former this January after Newcastle United eyed a move. Ramsey’s departure would also count as pure profit for PSR.
Aston Villa wanted £110m for a transfer in January
Aston Villa also priced Arsenal out of a transfer for Luiz in January as Football Transfers cited a £110m valuation in December. The Brazilian’s sky-high price tag tempted Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu to look elsewhere. But they, ultimately, did not invest due to PSR, too.
A move for Luiz has long been Arsenal’s ‘dream’ midfield signing, per Fabrizio Romano. He is capable of giving Arteta a complete package in the engine room, with goals and assists from a deep zone. The Rio de Janeiro native has 10 goals and seven assists in 37 games this term.
Nine of Luiz’s goals and four of the Aston Villa star’s assists have come in 25 Premier League games, as well. He would rank second to Bukayo Saka’s 13 goals for Arsenal and joint-fourth for assists. While Luiz is good friends with Edu’s son, Luigi Gaspar, and had dinner this week.
