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Sources: Two potential Arsenal January signings collapse after offers submitted
Arsenal are unlikely to succeed with January moves for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz or Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, sources have told Football Insider.
The Gunners are long-term admirers of the midfield pair and could swoop in the new year as they target a new defensive midfielder.
Both players are rated highly at the Emirates Stadium and have been on Mikel Arteta’s list of targets for 18 months.
Arsenal had multiple offers for Luiz, 25, rejected in 2022.
The Brazil international is out of contract at Aston Villa in 2026 and has enjoyed the best form of his career at the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
But as revealed by Football Insider last month (27 October), Luiz is a key man at Villa Park and the Midlands giants are unwilling to lose him mid-season.
The ex-Man City man has made 18 appearances across all competitions this season, notching six goals and two assists.
He has amassed nine Brazil caps and is in the squad for their fixtures against Colombia and Argentina this month.
Meanwhile, Zubimendi is also wanted by Arsenal following his impressive form for Real Sociedad.
The 24-year-old is under contract in San Sebastian until June 2027.
He has notched one goal and one assist in 17 appearances this term, and with Sociedad going well in La Liga and the Champions League, they are unwilling to part with him mid-season.
Arsenal’s interest in a defensive midfielder comes after news of another injury for Thomas Partey.
Arteta has confirmed the Ghana international, who is likely to go to the African Cup of Nations in the new year, faces weeks on the sidelines after undergoing a thigh procedure.
In other news, defender set to land big Arsenal pay hike as new deal close.