Arsenal: 'Unbelievable' £40m star will 'end up joining' at the Emirates

Arsenal transfer target Douglas Luiz will end up at the Emirates, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The Aston Villa midfielder was the subject of intense transfer speculation on the final day of the summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta’s side seemingly desperate to add reinforcements in the middle of the park.

Indeed, The Independent suggested that Villa had put a price tag of around £40m on Luiz’s head, and a deadline day failed to materialise despite several attempts from the Gunners.

Now, heading into the January transfer window, the Brazilian’s future remains up in the air, and there appears to be an expectation that he will make a move away sooner rather than later.

Amid suggestions that Chelsea have also shown an interest in signing Luiz, Phillips indicated that while the Blues might keep an eye on his situation, his prediction is that the midfielder will join their London rivals instead.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “The situation there if he does become a free agent, Chelsea will probably have a look at it.

“But I think he’ll end up joining Arsenal.”

Dubbed as “unbelievable” by former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, Luiz has emerged as an integral part of the Midlands side’s squad since his arrival a couple of years ago.

Indeed, after a stellar performance against Manchester United, The Athletic’s Gregg Evans declared: “He’s an absolute joy to watch now and I never thought I would be saying that. Villa have got a fantastic player in Douglas Luiz now, he looks like an absolute star, he could have played in that Man United team.”

Luiz’s ability to play as the deepest lying midfielder is what will attract the Gunners, with the north London side so heavily reliant on Thomas Partey to stay fit – something