Leeds United have been linked with an ambitious move for former Aston Villa and Man City midfielder Douglas Luiz, who’s tipped to leave Juventus after just one season with the Italian giants.
Leeds United have no end of names on their summer wishlist. One of them is Douglas Luiz who’s expected to leave Juventus following his £42million move from Aston Villa last summer, after failing to score or assist in 19 Serie A games.
By all accounts it was a nightmare first season for Luiz in Italy. It’s now reported that Leeds United are set to be offered Luiz who could return to the Premier League this summer, either on loan or on a permanent deal.
It’s reported that Juventus are ready to take a loss on Luiz in a bid to get him off their books. A potential loan-to-buy deal for Luiz has been mooted, which could see Leeds United given the chance to sign the 27-year-old in a £30million deal later down the line.
Now though, there’s a new twist in the brewing Luiz saga, which involves Leeds’ bitter Premier League rivals Man United, who themselves look set for a bit of a squad overhaul this summer.
Douglas Luiz could be used as potential Jadon Sancho bargaining chip
Juventus wanted to sign Jadon Sancho last summer. They’ve retained their interest and could make a move this summer after Chelsea didn’t go through with a permanent deal for the England attacker. Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport say that Luiz could now be offered to Man United in a bid to get Sancho to move the other way.
Man United have a historical interest in Luiz having been linked with a move for the Brazilian international in January. Gazzetta dello Sport now write that Luiz and his Juve teammate Dusan Vlahovic would be offered to Man United, whilst Sancho would make the move to Juventus.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United could quickly be left in the dust where a deal for Luiz is concerned, then. Recently though, Leeds United confirmed the signing of Jaka Bijol from Udinese, who joins alongside Lukas Nmecha as the first two names to arrive at Elland Road this summer.
Pep Guardiola has already given Douglas Luiz his seal of approval
Before Villa, Luiz was at Man City. But he never made an appearance for the club owing to difficulties in securing a work permit. Nonetheless, he went on to impress with Aston Villa, and Pep Guardiola knew how good Luiz was all along.
Guardiola said of the midfielder previously: “[Douglas] has ability, quality to play and we decide he can play. I accept the rules but I don’t understand, anyone in the world can work where he wants.
“Because of a [lack of] work permit, it was not possible [for him] to be with us. He had to make steps so he went [on loan] to Girona and now he’s settled perfectly at Villa, so I’m happy for him. He’s playing really well.”
Farke looks set to overhaul his midfield this summer and Luiz could yet be the jewel in the crown for Leeds United. But there’s growing interest in Luiz whose stock remains high despite his struggles last season.
And if United and Juve can agree on this potentially exciting deal, Luiz might not even have a say in the whole matter.
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