Douglas Luiz - coming back?

[Dante Lavelli]

I wouldn’t be reliant on Barca for anything. Players understandably still want to play there but I believe they’re struggling to register what they have already.

His agents fucked him over a bit there, Barca was never going to happen and definitely not before 30 June.

[Rigadon]

If it’s plain old ‘player wants to leave to go to a bigger club’ stuff, then that’s better as it might indicate that we aren’t in a massive amount of FFP trouble.

I like Luiz but of all the first team midfielders of the last 18 months, he’s the one I’m least bothered about leaving.

[sid1964]

IF Dougie goes to Juventus then he is joining one of the biggest clubs in European football, hopefully we will draw them in the Champions League.

[AV84]

The suggestion being that Doug didn’t sign a new deal as his agent was trying to get him a move to Barcelona that didn’t pan out. He ends up at Juventus instead.

Yeah, or just another club in general. The Arsenal rumours were still flying around in January. I know we won as much as they did this season, but they're one of the few English teams I could see one of ours thinking was still a bigger team.

I know historically Juve are a big and successful team so it's not like he's shot for Barca and ended up at Milwall. But it still seems like an odd choice of destination when we're on the brink of something big and he played a big part in getting us there. But who knows, maybe he's always wanted to play for them.

[rob_bridge]

The suggestion being that Doug didn’t sign a new deal as his agent was trying to get him a move to Barcelona that didn’t pan out. He ends up at Juventus instead.

Yeah, or just another club in general. The Arsenal rumours were still flying around in January. I know we won as much as they did this season, but they're one of the few English teams I could see one of ours thinking was still a bigger team.

I know historically Juve are a big and successful team so it's not like he's shot for Barca and ended up at Milwall. But it still seems like an odd choice of destination when we're on the brink of something big and he played a big part in getting us there. But who knows, maybe he's always wanted to play for them.

Juve aren't the scale or prestige they once were for sure. That said they are one of about 10 European continental clubs who are probably bigger and could pay as much/more than Villa in wages.

I just get the feeling this is best move for all parties. He has been a very good player for us overall and helped get us from bottom 4 to top 4 but world doesn't stand still.

He has spent 20% of his life at Villa and probably more than 30% of his playing career. Maybe time for a new adventure.

[Drummond]

He's done 5 good years with us, and at times has been utterly brilliant. Whatever the reason for him going, and wherever he goes, he's been a big part of this club getting back to where we are.

I just don't want him going to another English side. Juventus area arguably the biggest side in Italy, and much like players wanting a Sky 6 here, it makes sense.

[cdward]

He had a very lucrative contract on his lap for the last 5 months and hasn’t signed it. After season ended he made it clear he wouldn’t be either.
Therefore club has acted to get value

That makes sense in terms of why we're selling him (along with his relative lack of physicality).

I'm still puzzled as to why he wants to go from the Premier League to Juve in Serie A.

Thiago Motta has been appointed new head coach (manager) at Juve.
A fellow Brazilian, although he declared and played for Italy, probably had something to do with it.
https://www.juvefc.com/why-thiago-motta-wants-douglas-luiz-at-juventus/

[Duncan Shaw]

I've said to my son numerous times that he was suddenly playing like someone who didn't want to be here anymore - certainly from March-ish onwards, and particularly out in Greece, so that ties up with Vinnie's clarification really.

Like others have said, I understand this and wish him all the best in the future.  We move on and excited to see how Unai re-models the midfield.

[Olof's Beard]

He looked crestfallen after the Olympiakos and celebrated our Champions League qualification with as much gusto as anyone. He has also repeatedly proclaimed his love of the club including in that Guardian interview this week. I see nothing to suggest he had stopped trying in anyway, his form just dipped a bit after a long season and the loss of his midfield partner.

If he has refused a contract then I guess that does explain the need to sell. I guess any new deal would take him up to or into his 30s. It is a short career and he might want a new experience.

Still surprised how many fans don't seem to consider it a right old kick in the knackers though, he is hard to replace.

[Nii Lamptey]

He's been a great servant to us, but out of all of our midfielders, he's the one who drifts in and out of form the most. You rarely get an average 6/7 out of 10 from him, it's either an 8/9 or a 3 - Nothing in between.

Can't remember which game it was towards the end of the season, but I remember Unai going ballistic at him throughout the match. Great player but blows too hot and cold for my liking. Arsenal away proved to me that we can cope without him - Thank him for his service, take the money to relax any FFP worries and move on.

[chrisw1]

He looked crestfallen after the Olympiakos and celebrated our Champions League qualification with as much gusto as anyone. He has also repeatedly proclaimed his love of the club including in that Guardian interview this week. I see nothing to suggest he had stopped trying in anyway, his form just dipped a bit after a long season and the loss of his midfield partner.

If he has refused a contract then I guess that does explain the need to sell. I guess any new deal would take him up to or into his 30s. It is a short career and he might want a new experience.

Still surprised how many fans don't seem to consider it a right old kick in the knackers though, he is hard to replace.

Exactly.  Let's not go down the 'Jack was never that good really' route of rewriting history.

[Nii Lamptey]

I'm going to take some convincing that this guy is worthy of being part of the swap deal. Geezus - If a picture doesn't tell a thousand words! 😯

[Duncan Shaw]

He looked crestfallen after the Olympiakos and celebrated our Champions League qualification with as much gusto as anyone. He has also repeatedly proclaimed his love of the club including in that Guardian interview this week. I see nothing to suggest he had stopped trying in anyway, his form just dipped a bit after a long season and the loss of his midfield partner.

If he has refused a contract then I guess that does explain the need to sell. I guess any new deal would take him up to or into his 30s. It is a short career and he might want a new experience.

Still surprised how many fans don't seem to consider it a right old kick in the knackers though, he is hard to replace.

Absolutely a kick in the knacker and very hard to replace!  But I do look forward to seeing the results of how Unai overcomes it.

[Toronto Villa]

I'm going to take some convincing that this guy is worthy of being part of the swap deal. Geezus - If a picture doesn't tell a thousand words! 😯

What is it telling you?

[PeterWithe]

He looks like hes playing in SoccerAid in that pic.