Douglas Luiz - coming back?

[pauliewalnuts]

I think I've spotted Greggggggg's contribution to that piece.

Missing out on a move to Arsenal hurt more than he let on during an interview with The Athletic last season, too

[chrisw1]

I think the only way he leaves in the next 12 months would be if he has a release clause.

I think his contract is until 2026 so we'd need to sell summer 2025 at the latest if he doesn't extend.

He's now pretty much our best player, so hopefully he can be tempted to sign a longer deal with a pay rise to reflect that. 

[Brend'Watkins]

The way all such speculation stops with our top players is when we are a Champions League team. We can go a long way to making that happen by beating a few of them regularly.

[Dave]

The way all such speculation stops with our top players is when we are a Champions League team. We can go a long way to making that happen by beating a few of them regularly.

It doesn't then stop. It just means that Real Madrid and PSG are being linked with our players rather than Arsenal and Spurs.

[Simon Page]

It's inevitable some players will go. My insight is we'll probably lose Gray, Gidman and Little, but be okay in the end.

[AV84]

I think the only way he leaves in the next 12 months would be if he has a release clause.

I think his contract is until 2026 so we'd need to sell summer 2025 at the latest if he doesn't extend.

He's now pretty much our best player, so hopefully he can be tempted to sign a longer deal with a pay rise to reflect that.

He signed a new contract this time last year, just before Gerrard was sacked. There was a "story" the other day in the gossips that we were going to open talks with him over a new deal after Christmas. Might be nothing in that, but given the entirely different situation at the club since he signed the one last year, and his massive contribution to those changes, we might be about to offer him a much improved contract.

[chrisw1]

I think it was a 4 year deal expiring Jun-26.

I'd give him 5 years and put him amongst our top earners.

[Brend'Watkins]

The way all such speculation stops with our top players is when we are a Champions League team. We can go a long way to making that happen by beating a few of them regularly.

It doesn't then stop. It just means that Real Madrid and PSG are being linked with our players rather than Arsenal and Spurs.

PSG perhaps, but then again, no guarantee of European success.  If it's about the money the Joke league would be the destination.  RM are potless but would still be linked. 

[Dave]

The way all such speculation stops with our top players is when we are a Champions League team. We can go a long way to making that happen by beating a few of them regularly.

It doesn't then stop. It just means that Real Madrid and PSG are being linked with our players rather than Arsenal and Spurs.

PSG perhaps, but then again, no guarantee of European success.  If it's about the money the Joke league would be the destination.  RM are potless but would still be linked. 

I don't mean Luiz specifically. I mean the teams who would be linked with our players should we end up in the Champions League. If Diaby pings in another 15 goals and we finish third, PSG will definitely be linked to him next summer. If Kamara keeps up his excellent form I'd imagine Bayern (who are crying out for that kind of midfielder) would be linked.

[AV84]

If we make Champions League this season I think players will most likely want to stay and play in it with Villa. It'll be the following season, whether we can do it again, will be the issue, in terms of actually losing players.

But I can definitely see the bigger European clubs starting to be linked with our players this summer.

I wouldn't like to lose the likes of Dougie or Kamara, but if we have Champions League to offer, and Emery at the helm, I'd be fairly confident of us being able to attract high standard replacements, even this summer.

[Brazilian Villain]

Won Player of the Month for October. Not the toughest decision. https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1720019840801337505

Also nominated for the Premier League PotM, as is Unai for MotM.

[Smithy]

*thats* how we ended up with Sanson! I didn't know that.

And why he never played.

He might have earned his fee simply by being at the club and Luiz seeing him as "his replacement".  If his improvement in the last two years has anything to do with Sanson waiting in the wings, then he was worth the £14m!

[KevinGage]

Most of that Athletic article is toss.

Speculating how Luiz felt 'more hurt than he let on.'  How would they honestly know that?   

I'd say he was open at the time to a move to Arsenal (and a pay increase). But happy to stay at Villa.  We probably have a few players on the books that would apply to.

[Paul.S]

Reports suggesting Spurs will try to sign Dougie??

I try to win the lottery every week but it’s not going to happen.

[tomd2103]

Some players might leave, but where we have come unstuck in the past is not replacing them with players of comparable quality or better.