Douglas Luiz could be back in the Premier League
Douglas Luiz has been linked with a return to the Premier League
Douglas Luiz has been linked with a return to the Premier League(Image: Juventus FC via Getty Images)
Leeds United are reportedly stepping up a pursuit of Douglas Luiz in hope they can quickly bring the former Aston Villa midfielder back to the Premier League.
Luiz, aged 27, has been whispered as a potential target for Manchester United and Manchester City after what the Italian press have dubbed a nightmare 12 months in Italy since leaving Villa.
But instead it is newly-promoted Leeds who are hoping to muscle their way to the front of the queue and Calcio Mercato claims that "it is the most viable path" if a deal needs to be done before the football accounts deadline of June 30. Villa sanctioned his exit before that same date last year to make sure they stayed on the right side of profitability and sustainability rules.
They report: "Douglas Luiz has had a terrible year, not so much for the not inconsiderable physical problems but for the difficulties of settling in Italy and inside the Juventus group.
"Today he is out of every project and only one year after his huge (in terms of finances) arrival in Turin, he is one of the main suspects who could leave. The Premier League has not forgotten his talent and that is the window that Juventus hopes to exploit even by June 30.
"In these hours, the interest of Leeds is taking shape, having made an approach with their entourage. Everything could change but with one certainty: Douglas Luiz's future will be far from Turin."
Gazzetta say that Juventus would consider offers of €25m.
Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and Fulham have also been listed as potential suitors.
Responding to a critical Juve supporter at the end of last season on social media, Luiz replied: "I didn’t come here just to take pictures; nobody else did. I want things to be different. I came with a purpose, I listened to my heart when I signed.
"Now, I want you to answer me: why hasn’t a signing like me played two consecutive matches with this shirt? You can say whatever you want to the press later: ‘Douglas isn’t fit.’ Am I not fit? I did the entire pre-season and played every match. I had come off one of the best seasons of my career, one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. Injuries held me back.
"True, but how long did I stay on the bench while I was fit? A lot. These injuries were not normal. I’ve never been injury-prone, but there are many reasons that could have caused this, which I’d rather not comment on. I will keep giving everything for this club, even though it’s hard sometimes. It’s not easy, but you can count on me.”
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