Douglas Luiz, one of Juventus’ big signings during their massive squad overhaul last summer, is getting oh-so-close to his desired move back to the Premier League after a little more than year in Turin.
It’s not a surprise. It’s been assumed by many for months now.
But we are as close to seeing the latest Brazilian midfielder to flop at Juventus heading out.
According to reports from Fabrizio Romano and Nico Schira on Tuesday, Juventus and Nottingham Forest are closing in on their deal for the 27-year-old
Luiz, who will head back to the Premier League on either an outright sale or on loan with an obligation to buy. Romano says the deal is “almost done,” with “the two clubs are finalising small details ahead of green light to travel for medical” that could happen as soon as later this week. Juventus have been reportedly demanding at least €30 million total for Luiz, who arrived last summer for €50 million last summer from Aston Villa as part of a money-plus-cash deal that saw Samuel Illing-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea. (For what it’s worth, Barrenechea is now on loan at Benfica and Illing-Junior could spend a second consecutive season on loan in the English Championship, so that’s how well this deal has gone for all those involved.)
The negotiations have also reportedly had Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis — that’s Mr. Marinakis to you and yours, folks — and Juve general manager Damien Comolli having direct contacts to close the deal.
So there you go, folks. We’re at the point of this deal almost being closed that we’re getting the photostops of Luiz in a Nottingham Forest jersey. That’s how advanced things are. (Not a bad kit, either, I’d say. Good work, Forest.)
For a good portion of the summer we heard that Luiz was holding out hope that one of the top Premier League
But here’s a sign that Luiz was more than OK with heading to Forest: He agreed to personal terms last week, which was as clear of sign that he is totally fine with moving to the City Ground.
Where Juventus go from here when it comes to a potential replacement in the midfield still remains to be seen. We’ve heard that Brighton’s Matt O’Riley is the top choice to replace Douglas Luiz, but he will neither be cheap nor an easy kind of negotiation considering he was in the starting lineup in his club’s season opener this past weekend.
