Chelsea, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are all contemplating whether to make a late move to snap up Aston Villa holding midfielder Douglas Luiz, according to reports in England.

The Brazilian is out of contract at the end of the season, and he could be available for a reasonable price ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Atletico are believed to be the closest to tabling a bid, with the La Liga side reportedly looking to offer around £20m for Luiz, but Chelsea could also get involved in the race for the player’s signature.

Injuries to both N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic have weakened Thomas Tuchel’s options in the middle of the park and it appears Luiz is being considered as a potential stopgap solution.

The 24-year-old joined Villa from Manchester City for £15m three years ago but he is not a regular starter under manager Steven Gerrard. His only league start this season came in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham last Sunday.