Arsenal to offer Smith Rowe sweetener in Luiz pursuit

Arsenal could offer Emile Smith Rowe as a sweetener in the club’s bid to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz in January.

Luiz is a long-term target for Arsenal, who failed in a bid to sign the Brazilian in 2022, and the Gunners are expected to reignite their interest in the 25-year-old in the new year.

Luiz was named as Aston Villa’s Player of the Season in 2022/23 as the club secured European football for the first time since 2010/11 and has scored five goals in 12 league appearances this season.

Mikel Arteta wants to reinforce his engine room amid doubts over the futures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho in north London, with Luiz considered the club’s top target.

Arsenal face a challenge in reaching an agreement with Aston Villa for Luiz, who is understood to be valued at around £60m, given the club’s need to work within Financial Fair Play regulations after a £200m+ spend last summer.

However, football.london are reporting that the Gunners could look to use Emile Smith Rowe in an exchange deal, with Villa having been linked with a move for the out-of-favour Arsenal midfielder.

Smith Rowe has struggled to break back into Arteta’s plans after a spell out injured and has started just once in the Premier League since the start of last season.

The 23-year-old has featured for just 106 minutes in the Premier League in 2023/24 and could look to leave in search of opportunity in January, with Smith Rowe harbouring ambitions of a place in the England squad for Euro 2024.

Smith Rowe scored 10 Premier League goals during a breakout 2021/22 season, in which he was nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season and the PFA Young Player of the Year awards. He has scored once in three appearances for England at senior level.

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