Douglas Luiz - Confirmed confirmed

[PaulWinch again]

Nope other than it was pretty widely reported at the time that the deal went through that Citeh can buy him back for a set fee and if they chose to do so he’s already agreed the terms.

[Brend'Watkins]

Do any of you actually know what the buy back terms and conditions are?

Nobody knows anything

[Villafirst]

A bit strange when DS said in the press conference that he's not aware of a buy-back clause in the Contract? Is he being coy? Surely he should know all the players contract positions? He went onto say that Douglas is very happy at Villa Park.

[eamonn]

Which press conference was this? I watched the whole of the Brighton presser on Pravda just now and Luiz wasn't mentioned once - unless it was afterwards with the written press?

[Clampy]

I don't know why fans talk about players leaving when they are playing well. He may well go at some point but until then, he's ours.

[PaulWinch again]

I suppose this situation is slightly different - if there is a clause as widely believed then him leaving is more concrete and is rapidly approaching. The standard situation of being concerned about “bigger clubs” starting to show an interest in your players is a bit different for me.

That said I hope it’s all bollocks and he stays for years.

[Risso]

I don't know why fans talk about players leaving when they are playing well. He may well go at some point but until then, he's ours.

Because in this instance, there's a cast iron contractual position that Man City can effectively recall him at the end of this season if they want to.  It's a bit different to wondering if for example, Jack is going to leave.

[kippaxvilla2]

Which press conference was this? I watched the whole of the Brighton presser on Pravda just now and Luiz wasn't mentioned once - unless it was afterwards with the written press?

He's done really well for Brazil," Smith said. "There's been talk about a buy-back option. I'm not aware of it, I don't deal with contracts. I deal with the players.

[Lastfootstamper]

I've been trying to recall if I'd ever heard of a buy-back clause being activated. Found this eventually

https://www.football365.com/news/ten-times-a-buy-back-clause-was-actually-used

It's from last year, and it's had to go back a long way ('boro & juninho) just to find ten. And even then, it seems virtually all of them are a case of getting first dibs on any future resale rather than being able to dictate if or when a player could be bought back.

Edit: I don't know why I cited Juninho when it mentions Ian Rush and Luther Blissett. Ask your dads!

[OCD]

Angelino is the most relevant one.

[cdbearsfan]

Yes, it doesn't really matter how few times a release clause has been activated if we know that one is applicable and could happen for Luiz. Still, if you're talking about getting £25 million for him, it isn't like you couldn't get a decent replacement for that kind of money, and it would be no surprise if we spent double that, the way the owners have backed the club. In short, I'm not too worried, and will enjoy watching Luiz play for us while he's here. If he's still here next year, all the better.

[Risso]

Apparently Real Madrid have one on Özil.  Presumably they're not in too much of a hurry to activate it.

[cdbearsfan]

I hope we have one on Hogan, wouldn't want to miss out.

[Villafirst]

Which press conference was this? I watched the whole of the Brighton presser on Pravda just now and Luiz wasn't mentioned once - unless it was afterwards with the written press?

Yes, Bham Mail report quoting DS.

[OCD]

My man-of-the-match last night and thought he was the biggest reason why we dominated the game last night. If he maintains last night's form, it does seem inevitable that Man City would activate their buy-back clause by the end of the season. And if they do, I don't see the owners letting Grealish leave whatever happens between now and the start of next season. They wouldn't be prepared to lose both in one window.