Aston Villa have reignited their pursuit of Douglas Luiz, lodging a fresh enquiry to bring the Brazil international back to Villa Park on loan — a potential reunion that would send a jolt through the Premier League transfer window as Monday’s deadline looms.
A familiar face on the move
The 27‑year‑old midfielder is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Juventus, but sources say he could be on the move again before the window slams shut. Chelsea have also shown interest, yet Luiz’s heart appears to pull him back to the club where he became a fan favourite, making 204 appearances between 2019 and 2024.
From Villa sale to Serie A struggle
Villa sold Luiz to Juventus for £42.5m in June 2024 as part of a financial reshuffle, but the move failed to spark in Italy. Luiz managed just three Serie A starts before heading to Forest on loan in August 2025. That temporary switch includes a clause that would make the move permanent if he reaches a set number of appearances — a threshold he has not yet met.
Emery’s midfield emergency
Manager Unai Emery is actively hunting reinforcements. Villa’s midfield has been hit hard by injuries: captain John McGinn faces up to two months out with a knee problem, while Boubacar Kamara is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Emery’s search for cover intensified after Villa missed out on Conor Gallagher, who opted to join Tottenham for £35m.
Title tilt and transfer strategy
Villa sit third in the Premier League, four points behind leaders Arsenal, and have already secured a place in the Europa League last 16. Re-signing Luiz would be a statement of intent — a bid to shore up midfield steel and maintain momentum in a tight title race.
Attack reinforcement imminent
Meanwhile, Villa are poised to bolster their frontline. The club are expected to complete the £18m signing of striker Tammy Abraham from Besiktas after the 28‑year‑old underwent a medical in the UK. Besiktas had activated an £11.2m option to buy Abraham from Roma and are now set to sell him on to Villa.
A Luiz return would be more than a transfer — it would be a homecoming that blends tactical necessity with emotional resonance, and one that could reshape Villa’s push across domestic and European fronts as the season reaches its decisive phase.
