Aston Villa edge closer to Douglas Luiz return as contact made, player preference revealed
Aston Villa could take one step closer to welcoming Douglas Luiz back to B6 this winter.
Luiz departed Villa for Juventus back in 2024 as Unai Emery’s side were forced into a PSR-related transfer despite earning Champions League qualification.
Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea made the move to Villa, but no player in this bizarre swap deal has truly benefited in the years since.
It now looks as if Luiz could be on his way back to Villa, with an early Nottingham Forest departure looking increasingly likely in January.
The Villans now appear to be one step closer to signing Luiz once again, with the midfielder now making his desire clear with days remaining until deadline day.
Aston Villa progress in Douglas Luiz negotiations
Villa have searched for a Luiz replacement ever since his exit, but could bring him back for a cut-price fee instead.
The 27-year-old has seriously struggled ever since departing the West Midlands, with his spells at both Juventus and Forest being disappointing.
Emery knows how to get the best out of the Brazilian, so bringing him back could prove to be beneficial for all parties this winter.
Villa look to be edging closer towards a Luiz reunion in 2026 after Matteo Moretto reported that “negotiations are progressing favourably”.
The Italian journalist added that positive contact has been made “in the last few hours” as a potential deal comes under the microscope.
Luiz is said to be favourable towards a Villa Park return, with a move back to somewhere he previously “felt comfortable” being marked as a key factor.
Aston Villa can get best out of Luiz again
The ex-Manchester City man may have struggled in recent years, but that can’t come as a surprise after being let go by Villa after such a stellar campaign.
He contributed to 20 goals and assists across the 2023/24 season, playing a key role in Champions League qualification in B6.
That sort of output from central-midfield can’t be overlooked and would certainly be welcome in this current iteration of the Villans.
Alongside the likes of Youri Tielemans and John McGinn once again, Luiz could go on to be a superb squad player in B6, especially with his prior relationship to the B6 faithful.
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