Douglas Luiz - coming back?

[caster troy]

At least I will be able to cheer on an ex-player for a change as he hasn't signed for one of our rivals. It's been a while since that's happened.

[villadelph]

I just don’t see the Gallagher one, I think he’ll stay.

I'm wondering if we'll bother with McKennie coming in

Might free us up to go big elsewhere.

Still think we are light in midfield. McKinnie for me is more like Kamara. We need a more progressive midfielder that plays and attacks through the middle.

He’s specifically said he’s not a defensive midfielder hasn’t he?

He can put a better tackle in than Luiz and very much occupies the same space(s), but he's not a traditional 6.

[Mister E]

I wonder if he was told he was going a few months ago and that's what led to the fall off in play? I'm sure I saw before that Monchi or Emery let's players know if they're surplus to requirements a while before the end of the season so they have time to sort something new out. Maybe that was someone else, but Juve feels like a strange deal to have come out of nowhere.

I thought they did this at the end of the season, but before the players are off duty.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a ‘sign the new contract or we must sell you’ situation*. If Doug had no intention of signing it anyway then his agent would already know interested clubs.

* I’d prefer this situation than him leaving on a free. I think.

I'd be amazed if he were told he was in the Exit list before the end of the season: partly because it's not exactly motivating for the player and partly because the full impact of FFP may not have been worked out at the time. He was less effective / had more pressure on him without Kamara.
I always thought he was a really good player and we will miss him. However, I recall how Barkley was the guy to whom the ball was given from deep in the Luton set-up and he seemed to disperse it pretty well; Iling-Junior looks a decent player. I have misgivings about McKennie after looking very ineffectual when at Dirty Leeds.
I'd be surprised if Gallacher elects to come to VP: I just think that he would prefer a London club (perhaps the likely Olise deal will allow CP to buy him - particularly if Guehi and Wharton and / or Eze go as well).

[PaulWinch again]

At least I will be able to cheer on an ex-player for a change as he hasn't signed for one of our rivals. It's been a while since that's happened.

Yes the one saving grace is he’s moving abroad.

[eye digress]

I wonder if he was told he was going a few months ago and that's what led to the fall off in play?

After we equalised against the Redscouse in May, it was notable how Dougie, who had been subbed, went absolutely bananas. Didn’t look like his motivation was flagging.

[KevinGage]

I wonder if he was told he was going a few months ago and that's what led to the fall off in play? I'm sure I saw before that Monchi or Emery let's players know if they're surplus to requirements a while before the end of the season so they have time to sort something new out. Maybe that was someone else, but Juve feels like a strange deal to have come out of nowhere.

I thought they did this at the end of the season, but before the players are off duty.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a ‘sign the new contract or we must sell you’ situation*. If Doug had no intention of signing it anyway then his agent would already know interested clubs.

* I’d prefer this situation than him leaving on a free. I think.

He still leaves for a reasonable fee next summer, if it came to that.

Instead, we get two players Juve were keen to offload and not much money.

I struggle to see this as a win.

[Monty]

We don't really play pure sixes and eights though, it's more roles, tendencies and abilities. McKennie and Gallagher both like taking the ball off the defence and making runs in the box. McGinn and Tielemans can do both too. The difference is McKennie has a tactical wherewithal in the counterpress and so on that only Kamara also has, so that's useful.

Anyway, I think this has no bearing on whether Gallagher happens.

[Dante Lavelli]

At least I will be able to cheer on an ex-player for a change as he hasn't signed for one of our rivals. It's been a while since that's happened.

Yes the one saving grace is he’s moving abroad.

Drawing Juve at home in the champions league would be an ideal opportunity to say thank you and take all three points.

[Monty]

At least I will be able to cheer on an ex-player for a change as he hasn't signed for one of our rivals. It's been a while since that's happened.

Yes the one saving grace is he’s moving abroad.

To Juve though. Don't cheer that.

[Allan C]

I’m gutted by it to be honest. We make champions league and now sell one of our best players. None of the 3 above us are so why do we have to sell?? Even teams below us seem immune to it. Makes me wonder why we even bother trying to compete

[Beard82]

It's a real shame - Whilst I always thought this was likely - I kinda expected we would get more for him - but pleased he's gone abroad.

The thing I really don't like about it is the magic beans element - all the accountancy bollocks. The system stinks.   

I think he's been a really great player for us - and he goes with my best wishes.  It's been a long time since I have said that after losing a star player.

Im not convinced by either player we have signed - though know very little about them, and trust Unai and his team so Im sure it will be fine.  To be honest - its the fact that I know very little about them that worries me.  Feels a little bit like we're shopping in the middle aisle at Aldi hoping to get a bargain.  Not that it's a bad thing - just a shame that it doesn't feel like we have a choice.  The PL really, really needs to sort the Man City elephant in the room - as it making a mockery of the league.

[aldridgeboy]

Gutted he’s leaving. But good luck to him he’s been great for us.
Onwards and upwards.

[cdbearsfan]

I'm also gutted he's leaving, but can't wish him good luck if he's signing for those cheating rats.

[SaddVillan]

If not Gallagher, then how about Youssouf Fofana at Monaco?

French centre midfielder. Would cost £30-40m.

[Smirker]

At least I will be able to cheer on an ex-player for a change as he hasn't signed for one of our rivals. It's been a while since that's happened.

Yes the one saving grace is he’s moving abroad.

To Juve though. Don't cheer that.

Better than another English team.

No negativity toward Doug from me. Great player and servant and respected and defended our club. Conducted himself well. Good luck to him.