Roma switches from Arsenal to Aston Villa for shock transfer after failing to reach an agreement with Arsenal.
Italian giants AS Roma have fastened their sights on a summer swoop for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, according to a report from BirminghamLive.
Last season’s Europa League semi-finalists are currently occupied in a long-running transfer conflict surrounding Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, with Roma and the Gunners still incapable to agree on a fee for the Swiss player.
Reports have emerged on how Roma – now managed by Jose Mourinho – are now attempting to strike an agreement for Douglas, with the 23-year-old currently with Brazil at the Copa America.
The Serie A side remains hopeless for a central midfielder and, despite agreeing on personal terms with Xhaka, a transfer has continued to hit a barrier over Arsenal’s asking price.
football. london has revealed how Roma want to shake hands on a knock-down fee for Xhaka. However, the Gunners are checking out for around £17 million for the 28-year-old, who signed for Arsenal for as much as £40.5 million back in 2016.
It’s been stated how Roma have had a bid declined in the region of £12.9 million for the Swiss captain, who has already agreed on a five-year contract at the Stadio Olimpico. Xhaka’s Arsenal deal, meanwhile, has another two years left to run.
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Roma, though, are assumed to be ‘playing games’ given the leak surrounding their affair in Douglas, with the Italians remaining hopeful of striking down Arsenal’s asking price for Xhaka. A club insider at Roma has named Douglas as their second option.
Villa head coach Dean Smith ranks the ex-Manchester City midfielder highly after his £15 million transfer back in the summer of 2019.
Just 10 days ago, City’s £27.5 million buy-back option on their former player expired, and Villa are now assumed to be looking to tie the South American down on a new, long-term deal, knowing his current deal lapses in June 2023. Sports Dias understands that Douglas is priced at £30 million-plus.
Jack Grealish, John McGinn, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Matt Targett have all signed new long-term deals in recent months, with Smith keen to build around his core of top performers.
“We want progression again,” Smith said a fortnight ago. “That is why we have a younger squad because we know these players will get better, getting them on longer term contracts is really important.
“It is alright bringing in young players and building their value. But I’m hopeful players will come to Aston Villa, like Ezri Konsa, and spend six, seven or eight years here. If they are doing that it means the club is progressing. That is an important part of the plan moving forward.”
Villa, meanwhile, remain in the business for a midfielder with Metz’s Pape Matar Sarr and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse both on Villa’s radar.
Smith has Morgan Sanson, Marvelous Nakamba, McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Conor Hourihane and Douglas as his midfield prospects at present.
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Roma switches from Arsenal to Aston Villa for shock transfer after failing to reach an agreement with Arsenal.
