-
TRANSFERS
- 7 hours ago
Man Utd target Douglas Luiz sparks transfer outrage: 'I'd kick his backside!'
Tom Weber
- Updated: 25 Jul 2025 10:03 BST
- 5 min read
News
Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz has gone AWOL to force through a Premier League transfer, causing a massive stir in Italy in the process.
The Brazilian is coming off a disastrous year in Turin. Luiz joined Juventus in 2024 after establishing himself as one of the Premier League's best midfielders, but it quickly became clear that he was surplus to requirements at the Bianconeri.
In hindsight, this deal, which was purely completed for financial reasons, has proven catastrophic for all the players involved. The move was initiated by Aston Villa, who need to shift Luiz to avoid breaching financial regulations.
Current ETV
Douglas Luiz
M, DM (C)
Juventus
Douglas Luiz
M, DM (C)
Juventus
ETV Range
€36.2M - €44.2M
With Juventus unable to fully afford Luiz, who was valued at over €100 million by Villa six months earlier, two players were included in the deal. However, both Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior were loaned out by Villa last term, and the former has already embarked on a new temporary move to Benfica.
As for Luiz, he is now desperate to return to England and has refused to show up to pre-season training. According to Fabrizio Romano, this will entail a hefty fine but perhaps also help the player get his wish.
Luiz wants Premier League move
The transfer insider has revealed that both Man Utd and Chelsea were keen on Luiz in January. The Brazilian has been offered to Man Utd by Juventus several times this summer in talks for Antony and Jadon Sancho, but nothing has so far materialised.
"The relationship between the player and the club is completely broken," Romano said on his YouTube channel. "Juve will take disciplinary measures against Douglas Luiz. He’s expected to face a fine. The club is not happy at all.
“The player wants to go. There are opportunities in England. Many Premier League clubs have called in recent weeks to be informed on the situation. Keep an eye on this, it could be an important opportunity on the market.”
Meanwhile, Luiz's actions have caused a commotion in Italy, with pundits offering diverse verdicts on the situation. Former England boss Fabio Capello, for example, expects Luiz to 'explode' at his next club, believing that Juventus have 'underestimated' him.
Others haven't been quite so kind with their response. Ex-goalkeeper Massimo Taibi says that he would not tolerate this behaviour from his players. “I would try to hurt him economically because a professional can’t behave like that,” he told TMW Radio.
“Surely as soon as he gets back, he has to pack his bags. It is a lack of respect. It’s absurd that there are characters who allow themselves to do this. I don’t tolerate that. If I had one like that in the squad, I would kick his backside.”
TMW Radio host Arturo Di Napoli described Luiz's actions as 'malpractice.' Former Juve chief France Ceravolo even hypothesised that his decision to go AWOL was prompted due to an agreement with another club.
This seems premature, however. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Everton and West Ham are concretely interested in signing Luiz, with the former described as the current favourites to land him.
Football transfer news headlines today
DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Isak LATEST, BIG Chelsea move, Man Utd talks CONFIRMED
Alexander Isak RIGHT to push for Liverpool move: Newcastle aren’t a big club!
Eze 'confirms' Arsenal move after transfer request submitted
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
