Arsenal transfer target Douglas Luiz will end up at the Emirates, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
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What's the latest on Douglas Luiz's future?
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.
What did Phillips have to say about Douglas Luiz?
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."
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Arsenal need Douglas Luiz as Thomas Partey competition
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 that the Ghanaian has badly struggled with during his time at the Emirates.
In fact, a knee problem detected right before the Black Stars' friendly against Brazil saw him pull out of the game at the last minute earlier this week, with Partey headed back to Arsenal as a precaution.
Luiz's arrival would give Arteta some much-needed depth in that position and ensure that the Gunners don't suffer a real drop in quality if Partey is missing for any period of time - his injury against Crystal Palace kick-started a miserable run of form that saw the north London side eventually miss out on a place in the top four.