Pundit: This may be real reason Arsenal failed to sign Douglas Luiz after source's reveal
Aston Villa decided not to sell Douglas Luiz to Arsenal on deadline day as they viewed his one-year value to the club as worth more than £25million.
That is the view of former Spurs and England number one Paul Robinson, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Arsenal's failed pursuit of the 24-year-old.
According to Sky Sports (2 September), the Gunners failed with a third bid of £25million for Luiz.
Sources told Football Insider (1 September) that the Claret and Blues would have allowed the Brazil international to exit if an offer of £30million was tabled.
Luiz has entered the final 12 months of his contract.
Robinson suggested Villa are resigned to losing Luiz in January or on a free transfer next July.
“Villa made a decision based on value," he told Football Insider.
"They will have deemed that having Douglas Luiz for one more season is worth more than £25million. Ultimately Steven Gerrard believes that he needs Luiz and that is why they have not sold him to Arsenal.
"Villa's aim this season is to finish higher than last year. They have not started well.
"The midfield is an area in their squad where they do not have an abundance of talent.
"They clearly saw value in Luiz staying at least until January. I think he will stay until the end of the season though.
"To replace him, they'd have to at least pay a loan fee for a player. Having weighed everything up, the money they would have got in would probably not have been worth it. There would be no guarantee that a replacement would fit in as quickly."