Aston Villa consider Douglas Luiz ‘not for sale’ ahead of the January transfer window, despite expectations of an Arsenal offer.

John Percy reports for The Telegraph that Arsenal are expected to advance their interest in Douglas Luiz in the January transfer window, but Aston Villa regard him as not for sale.

Villa see Luiz as fundamental to their objectives this season, so an Arsenal transfer would appear improbable.

The Evening Standard wrote on Monday that Arsenal would face a fight to sign Luiz, with Villa determined to keep hold of him.

The Gunners are reportedly in the market for a midfielder in the winter window, but the Standard believe Arsenal will find it hard to convince Villa to sell.

Sami Mokbel had recently reported for the Daily Mail that Luiz was a firm target for Arsenal ahead of the January transfer window, with Mikel Arteta holding a long-term interest in the player.

But again, Mokbel wrote that Aston Villa were expected to put a “sky-high” price on Luiz, and Arsenal are likely to have a restricted winter budget, making the move problematic.

Fabrizio Romano claimed there’s no specific asking price on Luiz at this stage, but it would take a significant bid to convince Villa to change their stance on keeping him.

After Arsenal’s failed bids to sign Luiz on the summer deadline day of 2022, the player extended his contract with Aston Villa. He’s now on big money with a long-term deal, further complicating a potential transfer.

Arsenal technical director Edu Gaspar remains a fan of the 25-year-old, but a January deal appears to be off the table.