Leeds United have recently been linked with an ambitious swoop for Juventus flop Douglas Luiz, who left Aston Villa for Turin last summer.
At one point, Douglas Luiz was one of the hottest midfielders in the Premier League and indeed in Europe.
The former Man City man was flourishing with Aston Villa, and it was Juventus who eventually snapped him up in a deal worth £42million last summer. But it’s not been plain sailing for the Brazilian international.
Luiz, 27, featured just 19 times in Serie A last season. He failed to score and failed to register an assist, and now looks set to leave Juventus after just one season in Turin.
It’s been reported that Leeds United are set to be offered Luiz by his intermediaries, who are looking to re-house the midfielder during this summer transfer window.
Leeds United fans are keen for Luiz to sign this summer, viewing the potential move as a very positive one indeed.
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Douglas Luiz expected to leave Juventus amid Leeds United transfer interest
Daniel Farke got his summer transfer window underway recently, with Lukas Nmecha joining Leeds United on a free transfer. That was promptly followed up with the news that Leeds United have agreed a deal to sign Jaka Bijol from Udinese in a deal that will cost the 49ers close to £19million.
And Luiz could well be another who makes his way to Elland Road this summer. Or at least, Luiz will be on his way out of Juve. Speaking on the Fabrizio Romano in Italiano podcast, Italian journalist Matteo Moretto explained Luiz’s situation at Juventus in a bit more detail.
Moretto said: “Douglas Luiz remains, as if to say, on the margins of the Juve project. Juventus is looking for a solution for him and is ready to listen to offers for Douglas Luiz. So in fact, let’s say we expect that Douglas Luiz in this summer market, despite still having a very long contract with the black and white club, to find a place far from Turin.”
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The one sticking point for Leeds United as they eye Douglas Luiz
Like Moretto says, Luiz remains on a long-term deal at Juve. He signed a contract until the summer of 2029 and so there’s no need for him to push for a move away from Italy this summer. Instead, Juve might have a tough task moving him on.
Juve will no doubt want to recoup much of what they paid for Luiz. But after a very challenging season, Luiz’s transfer value has surely dropped.
With Farke having already spent almost £20million on Bijol, of what is a reported £150million transfer budget at Leeds United for this summer, whether the German will go anywhere near £40million for Luiz remains to be seen.
What Juve will eventually command for Luiz is the true sticking point here. For Leeds, a loan deal with an option to buy might be a better fit, as it would give them a Premier League-proven player for the 2025/26 season and no pressure to buy.
A £30million fee has been mentioned. But with a bidding war likely to take place for Luiz, his final transfer fee remains anyone’s guess.
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