^ ^ Arsenal target Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz

Douglas Luiz is on Arsenal’s radar (Getty)

Arsenal are targeting Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz as they continue their push to sign a new midfielder before the end of the transfer window, according to reports.

The Gunners have failed to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad this month and the signing of a midfielder is one of the Spaniard’s top priorities.

Arsenal have been in talks to sign Arthur Melo but the Gunners’ hierarchy have vetoed the move as they do not want the Juventus midfielder on an 18-month loan deal.

Lyon’s Bruno Guimaraes has also been targeted by Arsenal but Newcastle United are now closing in on a £33.5 million deal to sign the Brazilian.

According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are now considering a move for Luiz as Arteta is a huge admirer of the 23-year-old having worked with him at Manchester City.

The report claims that Villa have already turned down a £30 million offer for Luiz from another Premier League club this month.

Aston Villa have reportedly rejected a £30m bid for Douglas Luiz this month (Getty)

Villa are now set to open talks with Luiz over a new contract.

‘Dougie has done OK for us. We’ve been happy with his training level and the performances that he has given,’ said Villa boss Steven Gerrard.

‘We still think that there’s room for him to get better and improve. You know, he had a bit of an injury when we first arrived and we still think there’s another gear or two for Dougie to go into.

‘He’s doing us a job as a No.6 at the moment. We know that he maybe prefers to play a bit more advanced but he’s helped us out an awful lot on the back of Nakamba’s injury.

‘We rate the player extremely high and we’re hoping from now until the end of the season, he can really perform at his best and help the team moving forward.’

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