It came out of the blue on Thursday evening, but Chelsea are eyeing a shock move to sign Douglas Luiz before the end of the January window in a bid to bolster Liam Rosenior’s midfield options.
Chelsea are in the midst of a rampant schedule. Rosenior’s first game against Charlton was the first of six in the space of 18 days, and the 1-0 win over Pafos was the fourth game in 11 days under boss Rosenior.
The Blues are picking up injuries. Cole Palmer cannot shake off a groin issue, Tosin has a hamstring injury, Filip Jorgensen went off against Pafos and Reece James struggles to play more than once a week.
Where does Douglas Luiz fit in at Chelsea?🤔
It would be a temporary deal…
Douglas Luiz's display for Nottingham Forest
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In midfield, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have been forced to play week in, week out with Andrey Santos struggling for form and James’ fitness an issue. David Ornstein reports that Chelsea want Luiz.
Douglas Luiz stance on move to Chelsea from Nottingham Forest
Ornstein was the first to report the news on The Athletic. Luiz, 27, is struggling for game time at Forest, though the Brazil international did surprisingly start for Sean Dyche’s side against Braga on Thursday.
Juventus v AC Milan - Serie A
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Luiz has struggled on loan at Forest from Juventus, with Dyche’s side boasting a permanent clause for the midfielder. But with that permanent clause unlikely to be activated, Juventus could loan him out again.
Indeed, Juventus would receive at least another initial loan fee for Luiz if Chelsea opted to move, and take him out of the City Ground. Now, TalkSPORT share if the player himself is interested in a move to Chelsea.
They claim that the former Aston Villa and Man City ace would be open to moving to West London for the second half of the season, with there being ample games for Luiz to prove himself in a blue shirt.
Deja vu for Chelsea a year after previous Douglas Luiz loan bid
It’s not the first time Chelsea have tried to sign Luiz. Back in January 2025, with Romeo Lavia and Enzo injured, Chelsea made a move to sign Luiz on loan from Juventus just half a year after his Turin move.
DECISION TIME: If Liam Rosenior gets to pick one midfielder signing this month, who should it be?💰
Have we missed anyone…
Chelsea midfielder targets
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That was according to the Mail, but nothing materialised. Six months later, he went to Forest and his career is on the decline. Luiz needs a fresh start, and perhaps some game time at Chelsea helps that.
Chelsea will have to act fast. A move for Luiz is not straightforward, with Luiz clearly still a part of this Forest side given he started on Thursday. Forest will have to agree to losing Luiz before Chelsea move.
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