Douglas Luiz - back home on loan

[SaddVillan]

This is from Gazzetta dello Sport

JUVENTUS, IS DOUGLAS LUIZ A SURPRISE WILDCARD? THE CLUB HOPES TO SELL HIM, BUT SPALLETTI MAY HAVE OTHER IDEAS.

The Brazilian has returned to good form at Aston Villa, but there's no guarantee he'll stay in Birmingham. And so he's been put on the manager's transfer list.

Juventus will be looking for a playmaker this summer. Spalletti has compiled a list and even noted a reserve name: a player the club shouldn't even buy. That name is Douglas Luiz, currently on loan at Aston Villa and sidelined from the Bianconeri project last summer when Tudor was in charge. Juventus hopes to complete the sale of the Brazilian for around €25 million, but the odds of a sensational return to Turin have suddenly risen. He could be a surprise wildcard.

IDENTITY KIT
A question of characteristics. Juventus needs a player capable of dictating the tempo in midfield: Douglas Luiz, who was Giuntoli's first investment in the 2024 summer revolution, perfectly fits the profile they're looking for.  The reservations about the Brazilian are only related to his failure to integrate into the Juventus context: the midfielder suffered several injuries in the months spent in Turin and was never able to be a positive protagonist in the adventure in black and white, so from a potential resource he quickly became a problem to manage.

OPTION
Last summer, Douglas Luiz returned to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest, but he also played little there and failed to reverse the trend of recent years. The player showed some signs of recovery with his return to Aston Villa in January: good performances and pace, something he hadn't seen in some time. However, there's nothing to guarantee Juventus will decide to keep the Brazilian beyond the loan deal until the end of the season, shelling out the €25 million associated with the purchase option. Yet, Douglas Luiz would happily stay.

[eamonn]

I'd love him to have played more since his return. The consensus seems to be that we've outgrown him but he hasn't had a run of games to show, one way or another. He's hardly over the hill, younger than Youri, McGinn and Barkley. I guess Unai only sees him as a Tielemans understudy.

[Olneythelonely]

According to Balague’s book, Unai thought he could learn no more from him last time and it was a good time for him to leave. I think him coming back was just a needs must one with all our injuries.

[Mister E]

According to Balague’s book, Unai thought he could learn no more from him last time and it was a good time for him to leave. I think him coming back was just a needs must one with all our injuries.

Bringing someone back who could fit quickly into the Emery way was the most important criterion; he's played his part, and may yet some more.

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

Dougie did a decent job for us in a time of midfield crisis but don’t think we’ll see him back beyond this season.

[LeeS]

Dougie did a decent job for us in a time of midfield crisis but don’t think we’ll see him back beyond this season.

Agreed. It was a nice cameo and I liked seeing him back. But he needed to do more to get a permanent deal. I hope he goes somewhere and has success. He’s always been a bit of a favourite of mine.

[brontebilly]

Dougie did a decent job for us in a time of midfield crisis but don’t think we’ll see him back beyond this season.

Was odd Barkley came out of cold storage to start at Old Trafford just as Luiz seemed to be getting back to his best. Tielemans, nowhere near his best, Barkley, even Bogarde likely ahead of him in that position. Luiz had some decent cameos v Fulham and Forest in that time too but to no avail.

Who knows maybe Luiz comes off the bench to make a big contribution on Wednesday but it's done for him here either way.

[olaftab]

For Dougie I think it's time for MLS or back home to one of the RdJ clubs.

[Percy McCarthy]

I'd love him to have played more since his return. The consensus seems to be that we've outgrown him but he hasn't had a run of games to show, one way or another. He's hardly over the hill, younger than Youri, McGinn and Barkley. I guess Unai only sees him as a Tielemans understudy.

I hope he does see him as a Tielemans understudy, because we could do with one.

[eamonn]

For Dougie I think it's time for MLS or back home to one of the RdJ clubs.

He's 28, he's more than good enough for a decent European team. Not that MLS AI slop.

[Sexual Ealing]

I can see him at one of the big Portuguese teams.

[PaulWinch again]

I doubt Doug will stay, but assuming he doesn’t I’m so glad he gets to put a proper end to his Villa career.