Unai Emery worked with Douglas Luiz at Aston VillaUnai Emery worked with Douglas Luiz at Aston Villa
Unai Emery worked with Douglas Luiz at Aston Villa | Getty Images
The midfielder left the Premier League last summer and has since been tipped for a return.
Manchester United are set to see a somewhat of a squad rebuild this summer as they aim to sign players who are capable of succeeding in Ruben Amorim’s system next season.
If they do, it will help them bring in top-calibre players that the likes of Aston Villa, Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal could have targeted last summer. One such name has been identified in midfield.
United keeping an eye on Douglas Luis
One position that United are likely to improve is in midfield as they look to replace Christian Eriksen, who is set to leave the club as a free agent in the summer. Furthermore, the futures of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are uncertain, meaning that Amorim will need more depth in midfield.
With that in mind they have now reportedly opened their interest in former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luis, who made a blockbuster £43m move to Juventus last summer. However, it has not worked out for the Brazil international.
Luis has made just 25 appearances for the Old Lady in all competitions, he also is yet to record a goal or an assist, a big fall from grace after last season at Aston Villa. During his time at Villa Park, Luiz was superb, scoring 22 goals and providing 24 assists in over 200 games.
According to Italian outlet TuttoSport, several English clubs are keeping an eye on Luis, with United one of those in the background for a potential transfer for the 27-year-old. He has struggled since moving to Juventus, suffering an injury in the second half of the season, which has sparked suggestions that the midfielder could seek to leave Juventus after just one season.
The former Villa man has said that he misses Villa Park and manager Unai Emery, who is a big fan of the player as he described him last season as “amazing”. He also told the media last year amid transfer speculation around Luis: “I want to keep him and he is happy with us.”
Luis could be a cheaper option this summer after what has been a bad season with Juventus, he could be a great option should United fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Luis could be an Ederson alternative
Luis plays as a holding midfielder, in the role that would suit Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, much like Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who United have been linked to ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Atalanta star has made 35 Serie A appearances this season, scoring four goals and one assist. He would likely be more the sort of player that United would be able to sign if they end up qualifying for the Champions League.
United are in strong positions to sign Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap in the summer and if they win the Europa League they could massively boost their chances of bringing Luiz to Old Trafford alongside the attacking pair. Both Cunha and Delap are being targeted ahead of the outcome of the Europa League final, with the duo both open to a switch to United even if they do not get European football next season.
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