Leeds United have set their sights on a bold transfer move, reportedly opening preliminary talks with the entourage of Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, according to a report from Calciomercato.com. The Brazilian, who is no longer a key part of Juventus manager Igor Tudor’s plans, could be on his way back to the Premier League just one year after leaving Aston Villa in a high-profile €50m transfer.
A Disappointing Stint in Turin
Douglas Luiz, a 27-year-old central midfielder, arrived at Juventus last summer with high expectations following an impressive five-year spell at Aston Villa. During his time in the Premier League, Luiz established himself as one of the league’s top midfielders, contributing significantly to Villa’s qualification for the UEFA Champions League in the 2023-24 season. His versatility, progressive passing, and ability to dictate play made him a standout performer, with 22 goals and 24 assists in 204 appearances for the Birmingham club.
However, his move to Juventus has not gone according to plan. Plagued by injuries and limited playing time under both Thiago Motta and current manager Igor Tudor, Luiz has struggled to make an impact in Serie A. In the 2024-25 season, he has made just 18 appearances, totaling 877 minutes, without registering a single goal or assist. His lack of involvement has led Juventus to consider offloading the midfielder, with the club reportedly open to a cut-price deal of around €25m, a significant reduction from the €50m they paid last summer
❗Juventus will work to sell Douglas Luiz for around €25m after the FIFA Club World cup, per @Gazzetta_it 🇧🇷
— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuveEN) June 24, 2025
Leeds United’s Ambitious Pursuit
Leeds United, fresh off their Championship title win and promotion to the Premier League, are wasting no time in strengthening their squad to avoid the fate of recent promoted sides who have struggled to stay in the top flight. Under the guidance of manager Daniel Farke and sporting director Adam Underwood, the club has already made significant signings, including Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer and Slovenian defender Jaka Bijol from Udinese for £19m. The potential acquisition of Douglas Luiz would represent a statement of intent from the 49ers-backed club as they aim to establish themselves in the Premier League.
According to Football Insider, Leeds have completed their “due diligence” on Luiz and have opened talks with his agent, Kia Joorabchian, to explore a potential deal. The reported transfer fee of €25m is well within Leeds’ financial reach, making the move feasible in the final days of June due to favourable financial conditions.
Competition and Challenges
Leeds are not alone in their interest in Luiz. Nottingham Forest have emerged as strong contenders, with reports from Tuttosport indicating that they have intensified talks with Joorabchian. Forest’s sporting director, Edu Gaspar, is said to be a long-time admirer of the Brazilian, and the club’s participation in the UEFA Conference League next season could make them an attractive destination. Additionally, Manchester United have been linked with a potential swap deal involving Jadon Sancho, though their interest may only materialize after July 1.
