Arsenal are expected to firm up their interest in Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz before the end of the January transfer window.

Birmingham Live report that Arsenal are long-term admirers of Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, initially tabling their interest in the summer.

The Gunners are now expected to firm up their interest this week, and it will be Villa’s decision whether to cash in on a player whose contract is up in 2023.

The Evening Standard report that Arsenal are weighing up a move for the Aston Villa midfielder. Mikel Arteta is reportedly a fan from their time together at Manchester City.

The major downside is that Villa have already turned down a £30m bid for Luiz this month, from an unnamed Premier League club other than Arsenal. The 23-year-old clearly isn’t going to come cheap.

The Athletic previously linked Arsenal with interest in Douglas Luiz, so there’s evidently something in this story. But whether they move for him in the coming days at the sort of price Villa are demanding is another thing entirely.

It’s worth noting that the Evening Standard add Arsenal aren’t completely out of the picture for Lyon’s Bruno Guimaraes.

Though the midfielder is close to a move to Newcastle United, sources close to the player claim it’s not over yet.