Douglas Luiz has already made transfer declaration amid Arsenal and Juventus links

The Brazil international has been heavily linked with a move away from Villa once again, but this time it’s not just because of the vast interest but also a need to sell.

Unai Emery is reportedly considering letting Luiz go to help Villa with their net spending figures as the Premier League’s strict profit and sustainability rules are looming large. The Villans must sell a key player or two before they can consider making big summer acquisitions and with Champions League football incoming, that’s quite the necessity.

The Daily Mail reports Villa are now open to selling Luiz to ease their concerns, alerting Arsenal and Juventus who have both reared their heads. Any offers for Colombian forward Jhon Duran and academy graduate Jacob Ramsey will also be listened to as Villa are keen on raising funds to sign Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, who could cost up to £50 million.

Ross Barkley, set to join for around £5 million from the recently relegated Luton Town, is definitely on his way to Villa Park. The former England international’s bargain price simply couldn’t be ignored, especially as Emery has been an admirer for several years.

But to have a chance of acquiring Gallagher and a host of other transfer targets in addition to Barkley, someone of Luiz’s calibre and value may have to depart. It’s a tricky situation as Luiz is one of the best players at the club but his form did admittedly dwindle throughout the second half of the season just gone.

Douglas Luiz’s stance could cause Aston Villa problems

The 26-year-old himself could hinder the Villans’ chances of a lucrative sale as he’s recently spoken of his desire to focus on success in B6 rather than elsewhere. "I am very happy to hear the stories but I am here at Aston Villa," Luiz told Sky Sports in December.

"My focus is totally here. I don't spend a lot of time looking at the stories. I see them, but I don't focus on that and I'm not looking at it every day. My head is here at Aston Villa. It is a club that opened its doors to me when I came to England, so I have a lot of affection and a lot of love for it.

"I have been here for five years, so I have a big responsibility in our team now. I am one of our captains and that drives me a lot. I know the player I am, and I know the player I can become,” he said.