Arsenal sent Douglas Luiz transfer instruction as Aston Villa identify replacement

Former Premier League forward Noel Whelan thinks Arsenal should battle Aston Villa to sign Yves Bissouma this summer instead of pursuing a deal to sign Douglas Luiz.

Both midfielders are set to enter the final 12 months of their contracts this summer and have been linked with moves away Villa and Brighton. Villa are said to hold a strong interest in Bissouma and saw a bid rejected for him in January, while Steven Gerrard looks to add depth to his midfield amid reports that Luiz could move on after three years at the club.

The Brazil international was said to be of interest to Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in January and Villa reportedly turned down several bids for him. But Whelan thinks Mikel Arteta should target Brighton's Bissouma instead of Luiz, who he claims is not as 'consistent' as the Mali international.

Whelan told Football Insider: "I think Bissouma is a much better player. He’s been more consistent, he’s got more energy than Douglas Luiz. Bissouma, for me, is one that I think Arsenal would love to have in their side.

"I think Arsenal would be better off going straight for the jugular and trying to beat Villa for Bissouma. In my opinion, he offers a lot more."

Asked about his January pursuit of Bissouma, Gerrard said: "Pre-window and during the window we were probably linked with 12 holding midfielders. It’s a position we’re looking to add in.

"With Nakamba, he’ll be back fit soon so we’ll assess it as we go along, things might change, but going into this window with the injury to Naka I felt it was a priority to try to solve it, but we’ll only make decisions and say yes to certain situations if they’re going to be right for Aston Villa.

"I won’t be a manager who will try to be