Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Mon 11 May 2026 13:21, UK

Aston Villa are set to wave goodbye to Douglas Luiz when the summer transfer window opens.

The 28-year-old secured a return to Villa Park in January as he was welcomed back in the midst of a midfield injury crisis.

Unai Emery was without Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara at once and needed a new option to fill a void in B6.

He called on one of his trusted lieutenants, and the Brazilian came in, but things haven’t truly worked out like his first spell in the West Midlands.

Luiz has been a failed signing for Villa, and it looks likely he will be returning to Juventus as we assess what we know about his contract in Turin.

What is Douglas Luiz’s contract situation at Juventus?

There was widespread excitement when the ex-Manchester City man returned to wear claret and blue in the winter.

It was gutting when he left for Juventus in 2024, so to have him back was seen as a boost moving into the second half of the campaign.

Unfortunately, he has failed to secure a first-team role, and it now seems as if Emery isn’t sold on his abilities in the middle of the park.

That has left him in limbo and almost certain to be on his way back to Juventus, where his contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2029.

As part of his move to Serie A, he agreed a five-year deal and is just two years into that on reported wages of £67,500 per week and a yearly salary of around £3.5million.

Luiz has struggled for Villa, but is there any world where he could return on a permanent basis to the Midlands?

Could Aston Villa sign Douglas Luiz permanently?

The thing is, as silly as it seems, there could be a place for the Brazilian at Bodymoor Heath moving forward.

It feels increasingly unlikely, but it could make sense if a cut-price deal can be agreed.

Paying the £25m that Nottingham Forest were going to would be silly, but a much lower fee could represent great value for his potential and experience of Villa Park.

He clearly loves playing in claret and blue, and we have seen that he would jump at a move to B6, so it could make sense.

It will all come down to Emery’s decision and whether the Old Lady are willing to drop their asking price, despite his lengthy contract.