Liverpool transfer 'target' was pictured partying with Philippe Coutinho and Alisha Lehmann

Liverpool could be interested in a move for Aston Villa defensive midfielder Douglas Luiz this summer according to reports in Italy. But whether getting the Brazilian would be possible for a reasonable fee remains to be seen.

Unai Emery's side has successfully held off interest in Luiz previously with Arsenal having been keen in the past. As well as Liverpool, the Italian outlet Calciomercato reports that Juventus would also be interested in signing the 26-year-old.

Arsenal is once again listed as a possible option for Luiz while Manchester United's name is also thrown into the mix. A price tag of $98m (£77m/€90m) has supposedly been set, which should deter most suitors.

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Last week, Luiz was spotted partying with Philippe Coutinho, the former Liverpool attacking midfielder, while on holiday in South America. Alisha Lehmann, who plays for Aston Villa's women's team and is Luiz's partner, was also present.

Coutinho, who left Liverpool to sign for Barcelona in 2018, has been on loan at Al-Duhail having signed for Aston Villa while Steven Gerrard was in charge of the Midlands outfit. But he is expected to leave this summer with Vasco de Gama keen to sign him.

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Brazilian publication Globo Esporte claims Coutinho and his representatives will meet with officials from the Brazilian club to discuss a potential return to South American soccer this week. The 31-year-old would have to take a 70 per cent pay cut for that deal to happen, though, with his fall from grace since pushing to leave Anfield having been fairly dramatic.

Liverpool.com says: Luiz would be a good player to add to the heart of the Liverpool midfield but is he worth the amount of money that Aston Villa would demand? At nearly $100m, that doesn't feel like a deal that the Reds would ever think about going for.

Emery's side is back in the Champions League so the player would not necessarily have the leverage to push for an exit and he has stayed put in the past when big clubs have come in. Aston Villa doesn't have loads of FFP/PSR wriggle room but keeping its best players ahead of its first season in UEFA's top competition would seem more of a priority than selling one to fund more moves.