Arsenal Transfers: Summer target signs contract extension with Aston Villa

Arsenal will have to look beyond Douglas Luiz in January if they want to bolster their midfield with Aston Villa announcing on Friday that the Brazilian has signed a contract extension with the club.

The holding midfielder emerged as a late transfer target for the Gunners in the summer after Mohamed Elneny sustained a long-term injury in the victory over Fulham at the end of August.

The club made three bids on deadline day and Luiz was said to be keen on a switch to the Emirates, but Villa held firm and retained the Brazilian’s services.

Fortunately, Thomas Partey’s injury woes have only been minor so far this season with the Ghanaian missing just three Premier League outings. The promising Sambi Lokonga has deputised in his absence but is still learning on the job. Thus, it’s a possibility that Arsenal go in for a midfielder in January to provide further cover for Partey, but Friday’s news regarding Luiz means the club will have to seek out alternative options.

Summer target Douglas Luiz signs contract extension at Aston Villa

Villa are believed to have been in talks with the midfielder’s entourage since the summer transfer deadline over an extension, and the club announced on Friday that Luiz has penned a new long-term deal to remain at Villa Park.

The Brazilian’s previous deal was set to expire in the summer, and Arsenal explored the possibility of signing him in a cut-price deal on deadline day in August.

The Gunners have coped well in midfield through nine Premier League games despite some suggesting they were light in the area ahead of the season. Granit Xhaka’s sensational form has rendered him undroppable, while Partey’s fitness had just about held up (for now).

Nevertheless, we cannot rule out the possibility of a move being made for a midfielder in January to bolster the club’s chances of enjoying a prosperous second half to the 2022/23 season. Palmeiras’ Danilo is a potential name to look out for in the winter.