Arsenal ready to make final bid for Douglas Luiz

Arsenal are prepared to make a final bid of £23m plus £2m in add-ons to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.

The Brazilian has been identified as the Gunners' top target on deadline day, but they are yet to finalise a transfer fee.

After having two bids of £20m and £23m rejected, the north London giants are now proposing £25m to sign the 24-year-old.

Villa are adamant that Luiz is not for sale, but there is still optimism from the Gunners' side as his contract expires next summer.

Luiz has already agreed personal terms over a five-year deal with the Gunners, and a transfer now depends on the Villans.

With just two hours remaining before the deadline, the Gunners are running out of time to convince Villa to sanction his exit.

The next hour could be crucial to making the breakthrough. Otherwise, the Gunners may not be able to fill their midfield void.

They are currently short in specialist midfield options with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny out with muscular injuries.