Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz was conspicuously absent from Juventus`s initial pre-season training session this morning, an absence that has been widely reported as unauthorized. The player failed to report to the club`s Continassa training facility as scheduled, raising immediate questions.
Douglas Luiz Misses Juventus Pre-Season Kick-off
Italian media outlets, including the prominent Gazzetta, have corroborated that Luiz`s non-attendance was not sanctioned by the club. This development strongly suggests that Douglas Luiz is attempting to engineer a move away from Turin, particularly after a debut season at the Allianz Stadium where he reportedly fell short of justifying his hefty €50 million transfer fee.
Previously, Tuttosport newspaper had indicated that the Brazilian`s agent was slated to hold discussions with several Premier League clubs this week, underscoring ongoing interest in the player.
Juventus`s Stance on Douglas Luiz`s Transfer Fee
A host of English clubs have been linked with the former Aston Villa star, including West Ham United, Everton, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Liverpool, and Manchester United. However, Gazzetta reports that Juventus is holding out for a transfer fee of at least €40 million to avoid incurring a capital loss on the player. As of the current date, the club has yet to receive any adequate offers this summer.
