Midfielder Douglas Luiz’s loan at Nottingham Forest has been cut short after five months at the City Ground.
The Brazilian had been due to spend the entire 2025/26 season with the Reds. He signed on loan from Juventus in August and it was hoped he could be a key figure in the Garibaldi.
However, Forest were always going to have a decision to make about his future. Luiz's deal included a conditional obligation to buy, which would have been triggered when he made a certain number of appearances.
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If the 27-year-old had made 15 league appearances, lasting 45 minutes or more, then the Reds would have had to splash out a reported £22million to sign him permanently. Given Luiz's impact has been somewhat mixed in the Garibaldi, there has long been a question mark over whether Forest would want to spend a significant sum on him.
A statement from Forest said: "Nottingham Forest can confirm midfielder Douglas Luiz has departed the club, having been recalled by parent club Juventus. The Brazilian midfielder featured 14 times in all competitions for the Reds since his move in August. Everyone at Nottingham Forest wishes Douglas the best for the next step in his career."
Hampered by injury, Luiz featured a total of 14 times for the Reds in all competitions. He made eight appearances for the club in the Premier League, three of which were as a substitute.
What proved to be Luiz's final run-out for Sean Dyche's side came over in Portugal last week. He was named in the starting line-up against Braga, but was brought off with little more than 20 minutes to play as the visitors suffered a 1-0 Europa League defeat.
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Luiz was then not in the matchday squad on Sunday when Forest toppled Brentford 2-0 to boost their Premier League survival hopes. Head coach Dyche put the player's absence down to illness.
Chelsea had shown interest in Luiz earlier this month, but a return to former club Aston Villa is on the cards. Asked about the speculation regarding the midfielder, Dyche said last week: "He is a very good player. I said when we played him in Europe we probably rushed him back, but because of his experience he has used that wisely to be back.
"It doesn't surprise me there is interest from other clubs in good players. That's the nature of the business.
"It's a doubled-edged sword. You sort of want people interested in your players because that means they are doing a good job and are good players, but you don't because you don't want them coming knocking on the door. That's part of modern football."
Forest have until 7pm on February 2 to get their transfer business done. It is likely to be a busy end to the window as head coach Dyche tweaks his squad.
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