After missing out on Benjamin Sesko, it looks like another Arsenal target will not be moving to the Emirates this summer.
The Gunners need to sign players in multiple positions on the pitch. Without reinforcements, they cannot even dream of pipping Manchester City to the title next season.
Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have multiple targets on their wish list, but if Fabrizio Romano is to be believed, one midfielder has decided to go elsewhere.
Fabrizio Romano shares Douglas Luiz update after Arsenal links
Douglas Luiz has been on Arsenal’s radar for a long time.
The Gunners tried extremely hard to sign him in the summer of 2022, but no move materialised in that window.
Then, in January 2024, Arsenal were heavily linked with a move to sign him again, so much so that he was described by Romano as Arteta’s ‘dream’ signing.
Sadly for the North Londoners, nothing happened in that window either, but Arsenal fans were given fresh hope earlier in June.
Reports claimed that the Gunners wanted to sign Luiz again after his asking price was slashed due to Villa’s problems with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Arsenal were named as one of the interested clubs, but if Romano is to be believed now, Luiz has agreed a deal to join Juventus this summer.
The journalist said on Playback on Thursday night: “Let’s mention this one. The Here We Go for Douglas Luiz to Juventus is closer than ever.
“We are not there yet, and now we will explain why, but it’s closer than ever, because what we can say tonight is that Juventus and Douglas Luiz have completed the agreement on personal terms.
“So, after the agreement almost reached between the clubs – Juventus and Aston Villa – now Douglas Luiz and his agent Kia Joorabchian have given the green light to Juventus.
“So, the contract is ready, the salary is ready, everything is OK between Juventus and Douglas Luiz.”
Another midfield target may snub Arsenal
Arsenal haven’t had a great start to the summer.
First, Sesko decided against joining them and decided to stay at RB Leipzig. Now, Luiz has reached an agreement over personal terms to join Juventus.
The last thing Arsenal need is for their other targets to consider moves elsewhere, but it looks like one of them has done just that.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United this summer, and he would be a sensational signing for them.
However, Guimaraes is said to have made Manchester City his first-choice destination now, which is a blow to Arsenal.