Pep Guardiola and Ian Wright agree on Douglas Luiz amid Arsenal transfer links

Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz has again been linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal.

Last year, Mikel Arteta’s side were said to have had three bids for the Brazilian international rejected by Villa, with the highest offer being £25million. Fast forward almost 12 months and the Sun have now reported that the Gunners will battle with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Luiz this summer.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2022/23 campaign, establishing himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet since Unai Emery arrived at Villa Park. If the tough-tackling midfielder did make the move to the Emirates Stadium, one Arsenal legend that would likely be happy is Ian Wright, if his old comments on the player are anything to go by.

After Villa had beaten the Gunners 3-0 back in November, Wright told his podcast: “Someone like Douglas Luiz, he is ready to be one of the best midfield players in the Premier League. He is so underrated.

“They blasted us (on Sunday). We had no chance. It was men against boys.”

Wright isn’t the only footballing icon to heap praise on Luiz in the last few years, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola a huge fan of the Brazilian as well. When asked about the player following a match between Villa and City in 2021, Guardiola said: “He’s a guy who plays all of the minutes.

“He’s an important player for Aston Villa. A guy who’s clever with the ball, so physically strong. He’s a lovely, lovely guy.”

Guardiola actually signed Luiz for City back in the summer of 2017 but he never featured for the Citizens, spending two years on loan with Girona before joining Villa four years ago.