Steven Gerrard has given an update on Douglas Luiz’s contract situation amid reports that Arsenal are planning another bid for the midfielder in January.

Aston Villa rejected multiple Arsenal bids for Douglas Luiz over the summer, but it’s reported that the Gunners could be set to return for the midfielder in the January window.

Addressing Luiz’s contract situation, with his current deal set to expire in 2023, Steven Gerrard suggested Villa haven’t made any progress on an extension. But they’re still hoping to hold onto him.

“No news in terms of him extending his stay here, so that situation hasn’t changed, but what I would say is that he’s very focused and has trained well,” Gerrard said.

“Am I surprised by the speculation? No, because we have got a young Brazilian player who is a fantastic talent, so I expect to be asked this question a lot as the season progresses.

“We want him to stay here, the owners were very strong in keeping him here.

“We didn’t obviously want to lose him on the final day and he has performed very well since and he has trained very well and he is ready to go at the weekend.”

The tabloids reported this week that Arsenal will return with another bid for Luiz in the January window, but they won’t be offering as much as they did on deadline day.

Arsenal made three deadline-day bids for Luiz, valued at £20m, £23m, and £25m respectively. Villa turned them all down, apparently hoping to receive £40m.

But with the Brazilian’s contract running down, perhaps Arsenal’s negotiating position will be stronger in the January window. The Gunners are seemingly hoping to land Luiz for closer to £15m this winter.