Aston Villa expert issues Douglas Luiz exit verdict – ‘fans won’t want to hear it’
Alan Hutton has urged Aston Villa to “cover themselves” and tie Douglas Luiz down to a new long-term contract.
The former Aston Villa and Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted a new deal for the 25-year-old is important despite the lack of concrete interest in him so far this month.
Football Insider revealed last month (24 December) that Aston Villa star Luiz is interested in a potential move to Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Man City amid interest from the two clubs.
It is believed Villa would ask for around £100million for the Brazil international in the January window.
But Luiz is out of contract in June 2026, meaning a decision on his long-term Villa Park future may have to be made this year.
The midfield star has notched seven goals and six assists in 29 appearances this term and is now a regular for Brazil ahead of this year’s Copa America.
He has helped Unai Emery’s side present a shock title challenge in the 2023-24 campaign, with the Midlands giants currently sitting second in the Premier League table.
When asked about the lack of interest in Luiz in the January window so far, Hutton told Football Insider: “Hopefully it stays this way.
“He’s been integral to Aston Villa and what they’ve done this season, so the fans won’t want to hear any sort of rumours about Luiz moving forward.
“With the way he’s playing though, they are always going to be there. That’s just the way it is in football, and he’s playing that well at the moment.
“He’s at a good age and he’s got a lot of football left in him, so there will be clubs monitoring him.
“I think if Villa can tie him down to a long-term deal, whether he moves or he doesn’t, they’re covering themselves.
“It would be absolutely ideal.”
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