Reports of a £60m asking price for Douglas Luiz have been denied, with Aston Villa insisting they don’t want to sell the midfielder.

Following reports over the last week, Fabrizio Romano has spoken out to deny claims that Aston Villa have put a £60m valuation on Douglas Luiz.

Romano writes that Luiz is top of Arsenal’s list of transfer priorities as they explore the midfield market, but there’s no asking price at this stage.

Villa insist they want to keep Luiz in January, and they consider him a key player. So it would take a significant bid to change that stance.

Previous reports have suggested that Luiz himself is keen on the potential transfer, wanting a move to a top club with Champions League football.

The Gunners are expected to make a move, it just doesn’t look like Villa are likely to play ball.

Thomas Partey is set to be out for at least another month and a half, and his unreliability has prompted Arsenal to look to the transfer market.

Football.London claimed Arsenal are looking at both Luiz and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad, and perhaps the Gunners might be convinced to turn to the Spaniard if Villa remain unwilling to negotiate.

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 deal doesn’t look straightforward.