With Champions League football on the horizon and elite manager Unai Emery leading, few clubs offer Aston Villa’s star players a move that could be seen as an upward step.
According to the former coach of a player who has significantly improved since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard in late 2022, regular Champions League action and league titles would justify a summer departure. HITC reported that Douglas Luiz might be the player Aston Villa sacrifices to meet Financial Fair Play requirements. Villa aims to retain top scorer Ollie Watkins, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, and homegrown hero Jacob Ramsey.
With contract talks stalling, Villa is more open to offers for their £50 million-rated Brazilian playmaker, Douglas Luiz. Juventus is now in talks to sign Luiz, with potential player exchanges involving Dean Huijsen, Samuel Iling-Junior, and/or Weston McKennie.
Jorge de Amorim Campo, known as Jorginho, who coached Luiz at Vasco da Gama, believes Juventus is the ideal next step for the 26-year-old. Jorginho told TuttoJuve that Juventus, with their winning DNA and new coach Thiago Motta, offers Luiz a chance to win the Scudetto and play in the Champions League. He added that Thiago Motta understands the Brazilian mentality and could help Luiz grow tactically.
Juventus has struggled in midfield since the departures of Blaise Matuidi and Claudio Marchisio. Jorginho believes Luiz’s versatility and tactical intelligence will address this weakness, making him a valuable addition to the team. Luiz can adapt to various formations, including 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, and 3-5-2.
Aston Villa might replace Luiz with McKennie, who was interested in a move to Villa Park in 2020 before choosing Juventus.