Arsenal set to raise Douglas Luiz bid after Aston Villa reject initial offer

Arsenal are ready to submit a second bid for Douglas Luiz after Aston Villa rejecting an initial offer for the Brazilian midfielder.

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The 24-year-old has been identified as a target by Mikel Arteta, who is keen on strengthening his midfield after injury to Thomas Partey.

Luiz has been out-of-favour at Villa Park so far this season after making it clear that he was keen on leaving the club.

Villa maintain Luiz is not for sale and they rejected bid from Arsenal earlier today for the former Manchester City man.

However, Steven Gerrard’s side have agreed a deal to sign Leander Dendoncker from Wolves, who is seen as a replacement for Luiz.

And the Athletic say that Arsenal are now set to go back in with a second offer for Luiz, with the hope that Villa will now accept.

Speaking after a defeat to the Gunners on Wednesday night, Gerrard admitted Luiz’s future was in doubt.

‘I’m not in control of that. That will be Douglas, his agent and what happens around that,’ said Gerrard.

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‘I’d like to keep him, he’s a fantastic player. I’ve made that abundantly clear.

‘We’re not in a position where we need to lose our top players but at the same time Douglas has got a year to go and it is one of those really touchy situations where the club has to do what is best for the club, even if it is not necessarily best for me.’

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