Premier League side Aston Villa are reportedly engaged in serious discussions over a sensational return for former midfielder Douglas Luiz during the January transfer window. According to fresh reports, manager Unai Emery is keen to bolster his squad's options in the centre of the park and sees the Brazilian as an ideal solution.
Villa's Midfield Crisis Sparks Transfer Move
The push to re-sign Luiz comes amid a significant injury crisis within Aston Villa's midfield ranks. Key player Boubacar Kamara has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, while both John McGinn and Ross Barkley have also faced fitness setbacks. Although Youri Tielemans has impressed since returning from a calf issue in December, he too appeared to sustain an ankle injury during the recent victory over Newcastle United, further compounding the team's concerns.
Sky Sports News indicates that Villa are actively 'in talks' with the 27-year-old regarding a potential move. The club sold Luiz to Italian giants Juventus in the summer of 2024 for a fee believed to be around £43 million, largely due to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) pressures at the time.
A Fan Favourite's Potential Homecoming
Douglas Luiz enjoyed a highly successful spell at Villa Park, making 200 appearances for the club across all competitions. During his tenure, he scored 22 goals and provided 20 assists, establishing himself as a consistent top performer under managers Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard, and Unai Emery. His contributions were formally recognised when he was voted both the Supporters' and Players' Player of the Season for the 2022/23 campaign.
In his final season with Villa, Luiz reached double figures for both goals and assists, playing a pivotal role in securing the club's qualification for the UEFA Champions League. His departure to Turin, however, marked the beginning of a challenging period for the player.
Struggles Since Leaving Villa Park
Since his high-profile move to Juventus, Luiz has failed to replicate the form he showed in the Premier League. The midfielder managed 27 appearances for the Old Lady last season, but 21 of those came from the substitutes' bench as he struggled with various injury issues and never cemented a place as a regular starter.
Seeking more playing time, Luiz joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan last summer. However, his spell at the City Ground has also been underwhelming; he has started only five Premier League matches this term, accumulating a mere 318 minutes of football. He has worked under three different managers at Forest and has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular.
Transfer Mechanics and Chelsea Competition
Current reports suggest Luiz is available to switch loan clubs from Nottingham Forest. His existing loan deal includes an obligation to buy, but this is conditional on the number of appearances he makes—a threshold he has not yet met. With his Juventus contract running until 2029 and the player seemingly not in manager Luciano Spalletti's future plans, a permanent transfer could be secured for a fraction of the original £43 million fee.
Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring the situation, however. Earlier reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicated that Chelsea could also emerge as contenders to sign Luiz before the transfer deadline, as they seek to add valuable depth to their midfield options.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Douglas Luiz makes an emotional return to Aston Villa or if another Premier League rival secures his signature.
