Aston Villa’s valuation of Douglas Luiz could make a January transfer difficult, according to a report, despite the player’s keenness to make the move.

TEAMtalk report that Douglas Luiz is Arsenal’s top target for the January transfer window, but Aston Villa don’t want to lose the player mid-season, and they’ve slapped a £60m valuation on the midfielder.

With Villa currently playing in Europe and performing well in the Premier League, they’re even less willing to do business in January.

Villa are adamant they won’t sell unless their £60m demands are met, which would make a deal difficult for Arsenal to do.

Yet Luiz himself is keen, wanting a move to a top club with Champions League football. The Gunners are still 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.

Fabrizio Romano reported earlier this week that Luiz remains Arsenal’s favourite option, but admitted it’s not an easy deal to do.

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.