Arsenal are said to have dropped out of the race to sign Fluminese midfielder Andre in favor of Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.
Mikel Arteta wanted to bring Luiz to the Emirates in the summer of 2022, but he waited too long, and multiple bids were turned down on deadline day.
Luiz then signed a new contract and has certainly improved since committing his future to the Midlands outfit.
In 11 Premier League appearances this season, the Brazilian has five goals and one assist.
Last month, 90min reported that Arsenal still has Luiz on their radar, with Arteta and director of football Edu Gaspar interested.
On Tuesday, Brazilian outlet UOL reported on Arsenal’s interest in Fluminese youngster Andre, revealing that the Gunners are ready to withdraw from the race in order to pursue Luiz.
Arteta is said to have ‘closely watched’ Andre for months, and scouts were even present to watch him win the Copa Libertadores final on Saturday.
Arsenal will ‘work with other options’ rather than sign the 22-year-old as Arteta looks to bolster his midfield.
Fluminese are expected to demand €30-35 million for Andre, who will be easier to acquire than Luiz.
According to UOL, Fulham are currently the’strongest contender from England’ to sign Andre, with Liverpool also interested.
Joao Palhinha, one of Marco Silva’s top targets, is expected to return to Bayern Munich in January after a failed deadline day move in the summer.
Arteta appears to be looking for a new midfielder and will almost certainly sign one in January if he sells Thomas Partey.
The Ghanaian midfielder was linked with a move to Juventus in the summer, but the Spanish manager insisted in July that he wanted to keep him.
“Thomas is a super important player for us and for me,” Arteta said in a statement. “I want him to be a member of the team.” That is for certain.
“Every time I spoke with him and had a conversation with him, he said he wanted to stay with us.” “There’s nothing there for me.”
Despite his injury, Partey is said to be ‘increasingly dissatisfied’ with his role in the Arsenal squad this season, with Juventus still interested.
The Old Lady want to sign a new midfielder with Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli both suspended, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
Juventus directors Cristiano Giuntoli and Giovanni Manna have had ‘contacts and meetings’ with Arsenal to discuss Partey’s signing.
CalcioMercato’s report.According to the report, Juventus is also interested in signing Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City.
Phillips has not started a Premier League game this season, and after declining the option to leave City in the summer, he is expected to leave during the winter transfer window.
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