Aston Villa ‘failed’ in intriguing transfer deadline day move amid Arsenal’s Douglas Luiz links

Aston Villa will count it as a huge success that they managed to hold onto midfielder Douglas Luiz on transfer deadline day.

The Brazilian looked increasingly close to a move to Arsenal last week and Steven Gerrard’s side were starting to prepare for life without him as they delved into the transfer market once again.

Spanish newspaper Marca has reported that the Villans made a late move to sign Atletico Madrid’s Geoffrey Kondogbia as a potential replacement for Luiz.

The 29-year-old joined the Spanish club from Valencia two years ago but has failed to establish himself as a regular in the starting line-up, making only two appearances in La Liga this season.

It is unclear how much Kondogbia would have cost Aston Villa or whether they would have been willing to meet his current £115,000-a-week contract, however fans will have much happier to see Luiz remain at the club past the deadline.

The Midlands side also snapped up Leander Dendoncker to bolster their midfield, but the report claims they may still look to Kondogbia if they can’t hold onto the Brazilian in January.

Gerrard is clearly an admirer of the Atleti man after previously been linked with him earlier this summer and he could certainly be keen on a switch later this season if he fails to move up the pecking order under Diego Simeone.

Following an impressive 1-1 draw with Manchester City last weekend, Gerrard’s side are now busy preparing for their clash against struggling Leicester City this Saturday afternoon.