Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has urged his old club to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz when the summer transfer window opens.
The Gunners were linked with the 25-year-old last summer and had three bids rejected on transfer deadline day.
They remain keen on recruiting his services as Villa could be forced to cash in on some of their best players to stay within the confines of the Premier League’s spending rules and limits, and Silva believes a move would be great for his fellow Brazilian and Arsenal.
“He’s progressing, he’s improving and he’s well adapted to the Premier League,” the former Gunners midfielder told Chris Wheatley.
“Why not to Arsenal next season? It would be a great move for him and the club.”
Jermaine Pennant recently claimed that Luiz is better than Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, and while that is subject to debate, there is no doubt that the Villa star has what it takes to improve the Gunners’ midfield.
“Any team would dream to have Rice, but there are better sixes in the Premier League at the moment,” Pennant said on Kick Off for talkSPORT last December.
“I would say Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa, I think he can do everything that Rice can do and better. I think he assists more, he chips in with goals more than Rice.
“Creativity-wise he is better, flair is better, he can put in a tackle just like Rice, break up play just like Rice.
“So I think if someone said to me you can have Douglas Luiz for £60m or Declan Rice for £100m, easy every day of the week, Douglas Luiz.”
Rice has already justified the initial £100m Arsenal splashed on him last summer, and he is arguably the best midfielder in the land right now.
However, adding Luiz to their ranks will further make the Gunners a stronger side, but whether they will be able to meet the demands of Villa should they put the former Manchester City man up for sale in the summer remains to be seen.
