Manchester City are not done in this summer’s transfer window.
Pep Guardiola has seen his squad strengthen significantly ahead of the 2025/26 campaign with four new faces arriving at the Etihad Stadium, in the form of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Marcus Bettinelli.
Man City are expected to sign a right-back next, but should Nico Gonzalez leave the Premier League club, Guardiola may be forced to re-enter the market for a midfielder.
City will not want to spend big money on addressing this role again; therefore, the English giants should consider bringing one of their former stars back, who is now ready to leave Italy.
Douglas Luiz ahead of Juventus v Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images
Man City should consider re-signing Juventus’ Douglas Luiz
Douglas Luiz was on Man City’s list of targets in January as the Manchester club looked for a new midfielder to provide support to Rodri, reported Sky Sports.
However, Guardiola opted to move for Nico Gonzalez instead, but with the Spaniard’s future at the Etihad Stadium currently in doubt, in addition to the possibility of Ilkay Gundogan leaving Man City over the coming weeks, the signing of Luiz should be taken into consideration.
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According to Fabrizio Romano, Juventus have been approached by Premier League clubs for Luiz already this summer, as the Brazilian is expected to leave Turin.
🚨🇧🇷 Juventus have been approached by Premier League clubs for Douglas Luiz as he’s expected to leave this summer.
No talks or contacts ongoing with Como so far despite reports. pic.twitter.com/agmlxnt99x
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 7, 2025
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Should Man City opt to move for Luiz, this would see the Premier League club complete a Gundogan-style transfer, as the 27-year-old was already at the club between 2017 and 2019, before leaving to join Aston Villa.
Since then, the Brazilian has kicked on and was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League before making the switch to Juventus last summer.
The former Man City star would be a solid option to support Rodri throughout the 2025/26 campaign, as he has Premier League experience, can play in multiple midfield roles, he only turned 27 recently, and the transfer fee is not that expensive, with Juventus demanding £30m.
Guardiola never wanted to let Luiz go in the first place, which could also be a factor if Man City need to replace Gonzalez.
Douglas Luiz in action for Man City.
Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Why Man City sold Douglas Luiz in 2019
Luiz joined Man City in 2017 after the Premier League club brought the Brazilian to England as part of a deal with Vasco da Gama.
The midfielder would sign a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium; however, the Brazilian would never play for the Manchester club due to work permit issues, which eventually forced them to sell the current Juventus star.
It was even reported that Guardiola sent videos of Luiz to the UK Home Office, explaining how important the Brazilian could be to Man City, but they did not work.
Luiz spent his two years at Man City on loan with their sister club, Girona, and years later, his return would not be the worst idea.