Douglas Luiz’s future remains up in the air, with Aston Villa and Chelsea both interested in signing the Brazil international from Juventus, with his Nottingham Forest loan not going to plan.
The 27-year-old has been afforded just 14 appearances in all competitions. Just 710 minutes played so far and only five Premier League starts. Luiz, understandably, wants to leave, and clubs are growing keen.
After the initial reports that Chelsea were interested in Luiz, which would involve Forest agreeing to cancel his loan and then Chelsea agreeing a package with Juventus, it was claimed Luiz had said yes to Chelsea.
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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But since then, Aston Villa have been touted with a move for Luiz. Of course, the former Man City and Girona star left Villa for Juventus in the summer of 2024. Now, Luiz has made a decision on the two clubs.
Aston Villa or Chelsea? Douglas Luiz has made a decision
The former Vasco ace had a hand in 47 goals during 204 Villa outings, scoring 22 goals himself. He is well-liked at Villa, and despite his career falling off since his move to Turin, Unai Emery would love him.
Juventus v AC Milan - Serie A
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Well, Nizaar Kinsella writes on BBC Sport’s website that Luiz has made a decision on which club he would like to join before the end of the window. Kinsella reports that Luiz would prefer Aston Villa over Chelsea.
Perhaps, an unsurprising move given the success Luiz had at Villa Park under Emery. As things stand, Forest will have to agree to cancel his loan, and then it is all down to the interested clubs to sign Luiz.
Why Luiz will get more game time at Aston Villa than Chelsea
At Chelsea, the need for a midfielder is great even if Liam Rosenior has Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos and Reece James. Judging Rosenior’s first five games, the gaffer likes James at right-back.
Do Chelsea need a central midfielder this month?🤔
Liam Rosenior issues Douglas Luiz update
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James also cannot be relied upon to start more than one game in a row, or play 90 minutes back-to-back. Chelsea do need another midfielder but the need is greater at Villa, due to a few midfield injury issues.
Boubacar Kamara is out until the end of the season, while John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley are all out injured. Luiz’s chances of game time at Villa are much stronger than they would be at Chelsea.
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