Aston Villa will reject any bids from Liverpool that arrive today for Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz.
The Reds are reportedly ‘tracking’ Luiz with a view to a deadline day move. But according to the latest from Sky Sports via Football Daily, Villa are now ‘determined’ to keep him.
“Update from Aston Villa by the way. We’re told they are determined to keep hold of midfielder Douglas Luiz, despite interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid,” said reporter Tom White.
“Villa are braced for possible offers on deadline day for Douglas Luiz, his contract expires next summer. But their CEO Christian Purslow is thought to be ready to rebuff any bids.”
Mixed messages over Luiz future
This news comes after Steven Gerrard admitted that he had ‘no control’ over whether Luiz stayed or not. Gerrard’s comments had suggested that the 24-year-old could indeed depart over the course of today.
Now, it looks as though Villa are prepared to play hardball over their player staying put.
Of course, this could merely be a negotiating tactic. With just a year left on his contract, Villa will have to accept a bid now or risk losing the player they paid £15m for in 2019, for nothing.
A lot will also depend on how the player and his camp are feeling. Gerrard had conceded that whether or not Luiz stayed at Villa park would be down to he and his agent.
If there really is strong interest from the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea, you’d have to think the Brazil international was interested.
At Anfield, he could really take his game to the next level alongside fellow Brazilians Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino. It would give him the chance to play Champions League football whilst also competing for titles. Surely that’s a big lure for someone playing a little further down the Premier League.
Either way, there’s already been a few twists and turns in this tale and it’s not even 10am yet! If Villa truly don’t want to sell, then Liverpool should quickly turn their attention to another target. There’s still plenty of time…
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