Arsenal instructed to reinitiate pursuit of ‘ideal’ signing causing disappointment for Roy Keane.
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Roy Keane could be disappointed if Arsenal pull off a transfer swoop.
Arsenal have been tipped to return for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz in the summer transfer window, a move that would leave Roy Keane particularly disappointed after urging Manchester United to consider the Brazilian. Luiz has impressed under Unai Emery and prompted attention from a host of top clubs.
The Gunners had several bids turned down for Luiz just over a year ago before he penned a new contract at Villa Park. Mikel Arteta could still look to bolster his midfield once again at the end of the season, with the futures of Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Emile Smith Rowe up in the air.
Former Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore believes that Luiz would be a “perfect” fit at Arsenal and admits that he can see the 25-year-old moving on to north London. “I think Douglas is a player that could end up moving on from Villa,” Collymore told Genting Casino.
“I know that he has been linked with a move to Arsenal over the last few transfer windows, and I think he would suit them perfectly. He can hold onto the ball very well.
He is calm, he doesn’t rush things and has fantastic ability on the ball. I can see him fitting into a midfield alongside (Declan) Rice and (Martin) Odegaard seamlessly.
Douglas Luiz has been the subject of interest from Arsenal. “He would be a perfect player for Arsenal.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal come back in for him. It wouldn’t surprise me if that happened, and I wouldn’t begrudge him that move because he has been brilliant for Villa.
As long as the club had someone waiting in the wings that was ready to fill the void if a player like Douglas Luiz would leave, and Villa got the requisite fee for him, then I wouldn’t have a problem with (him moving). “I have been fairly critical of him in the past.
I didn’t think he had the ability to play as a holding midfielder, but in the system that Unai plays, where he plays a little bit further forward, his calmness on the ball is very good. He is a player that doesn’t get flustered.”
Villa have previously demanded a fee in the region of £100million to part ways with their star midfielder, but if Arsenal are willing to stump up the cash he could become their marquee summer addition.
However, that would come as a disappointment to Keane after he touted Luiz with a possible move to United. “Never seems to be injured.
Quality player. I like him.
I think he was linked with Arsenal last year. There are no surprises there, with some of the Villa players, you think they can certainly go on to play for a Man United, Arsenal or even Man City, you look at (Ollie) Watkins.
“But I like Luiz. He is consistent.
Turns up week in and week out. You know what you are going to get from him.
I like a lot about him. Probably lacks that real pace maybe.
In terms of his decision-making and looking after the ball. Very, very good.”
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A truly modern-looking shirt with a homage to the past, the Nike kit also includes a nod to the club’s iconic Invincible’s side in the finer details while catching the eye with the lightning bolt motif
