West Ham United has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to sign midfielder Douglas Luiz from Juventus, potentially bringing him back to the Premier League. Reports suggest a fee of around €40 million could be sufficient to secure the deal.
Juventus invested heavily in the midfielder last summer, signing him from Aston Villa for €50 million. However, he failed to make a significant impact in Serie A or the Champions League during his time in Turin.
Douglas Luiz finished the season without registering any goals or assists, playing only 877 minutes in total. He did not manage to impress either of Juventus` managers last season, Thiago Motta or his successor Igor Tudor.
Potential Premier League Return
Interest from several Premier League clubs had been previously reported today, with West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Leeds United, and Fulham all mentioned as potential destinations.
However, Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport now clarifies that West Ham are the most determined club to finalize a transfer. Negotiations are expected to accelerate over the weekend.
While Juventus is reportedly seeking at least €40 million, the club might be open to alternative deal structures given the player`s underwhelming performance last season. This could include more flexible strategies.
One potential option discussed is an initial loan agreement for €10 million, which would include an obligation to purchase the player permanently for a further €25-30 million if certain performance or appearance conditions are met.
