Former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti might have a say in Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz joining Everton this summer, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Since Douglas Luiz left Aston Villa for the Serie A last summer, he’s struggled to replicate his Premier League form in Italy.
Luiz was slightly hampered by injury last term but he still only made 27 appearances for Juventus in all competitions and the Brazilian was often left on the bench.
As a result, the famous Italian side are looking to move Luiz on this summer, ideally on a permanent basis.
However, a loan deal is currently looking more likely, and both Everton and Nottingham Forest are somewhat leading the interest in England.
Juventus want to sell Douglas Luiz amid interest from Everton and Nottingham Forest
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Carlo Ancelotti might actually have a say in pushing Luiz towards Everton.
Former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar, who is now working with Nottingham Forest, would love to take Luiz to the City Ground.
But given that Luiz is vying for a spot in Brazil’s squad at the World Cup next summer, he is currently being advised by national team boss Ancelotti over what to do next.
Douglas Luiz during Atalanta v Juventus in Serie A
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images
READ MORE: Everton left stunned by Southampton after shock request that has blocked Tyler Dibling move
And given the Italian’s ties to Everton, his former club, it’s logical to think that Ancelotti might push the £42m midfielder towards the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Explaining the situation as a whole, Bailey said: “My understanding is that Juventus would like to ship him out permanently, even if they know it’s unlikely to happen.
“It’s going to be really tough — Juventus are likely going to let him go for a loan with an option to buy, maybe an obligation to buy for the right club.
“We know that Tottenham have moved on from him, they went for Joao Palhinha, but there was interest there.
“But obviously with Edu at Forest, we know Edu loves him — he wanted to sign Luiz at Arsenal.
“Edu is now playing a major role at Nottingham Forest and there have been talks with Edu about taking Luiz to Forest.”
Carlo Ancelotti might push Douglas Luiz to join Everton
Although Forest might be keen to add another impressive Brazilian talent to their ranks, Everton might still prevail as the ideal landing spot for Luiz.
TBR Football recently revealed that Everton were talking terms with Juventus over a move for Luiz.
And now Bailey has explained how Ancelotti might influence the transfer: “Don’t rule out Everton.
“I’m told that Luiz has spoken to Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti about his future ahead of the World Cup next year — it’s a very important year to come for him.
“Ancelotti loves Luiz, and if he’s advising him on where to go, where do you think he’s going to say?
“We can only hazard a guess that he might say Everton, his former club. I believe Ancelotti has told Luiz to go and find first team football, and I think he does want him to go to England — that’s where Luiz has played his best football.
“So I do think Everton are in there, but there’s definitely something going on with Forest too.
“There has been talk about his former club Aston Villa too – they do love him, but Kamara just signed a new deal, Tielemans was great and Onana was brought in, so it’s hard to see how they could offer him a return.”