Arsenal 'awoken' as Aston Villa 'open' to surprise exit and Unai Emery names bold replacement

The Villans must make sales in the summer transfer window to ease concerns of a potential breach of the Premier League’s strict profit and sustainability (PSR) rules.

Emery has a few fresh additions in mind to bolster Villa’s chances of continuing their remarkable upward trajectory, but sacrifices may first have to be made to ensure that’s a possibility. Luiz, who has just two years left on his current contract,

The Daily Mail reports Villa are now open to selling Luiz this summer amid interest from Juventus and Arsenal. Colombian forward Jhon Duran and wide midfielder Jacob Ramsey are also seen as dispensable if significant enough offers come in.

Selling Ramsey would be particularly intelligent as the Englishman is homegrown, meaning any transfer fee gained would be pure profit as far as the PSR rules are concerned. Duran, meanwhile, could provide a route to a quick profit following his £17.2 million arrival from Chicago Fire in January 2023.

An exchange deal scenario could open up, too, as Emery has listed Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie as a summer target. It’s claimed the Old Lady are willing to offer up to £30 million plus McKennie to tempt Villa into an agreement.

Arsenal could act on previous Luiz interest

The Gunners have been heavily linked with Luiz for several years and a summer move could come to fruition following Villa’s change in stance. Selling Luiz was always a big no-no in the past but the need to sell could open up an opportunity for Arsenal to pounce.

Luiz has scored 22 goals and made 24 assists in 204 matches for Villa since arriving from Manchester City for £15 million in 2019. The Brazil international, 26, would leave a large void in Villa’s midfield but the arrivals of Luton Town’s Ross Barkley and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher are looking likely.