- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Aston Villa are now expecting midfielder Douglas Luiz to leave the club before this weekend with Juventus now finalising a deal.
HITC can confirm that Juventus officials are in USA to oversee Douglas Luiz’s medical and final details ahead of his move from Aston Villa.
The Brazilian has become a key target for Juventus this summer and the Serie A side are putting the finishing touches to their deal.
HITC understands that the original deal was for Juve to pay £16million plus Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior.
Issues with McKennie’s personal terms have forced the deal to change though with Iling-Junior now set to be joined by Enzo Barrenechea instead.
Barrenechea and Iling-Junior both in England to undergo go their medicals and finalise details, with Villa expecting everything to be done before weekend.
Douglas Luiz’s time at Aston Villa coming to an end
Luiz joined Villa from Manchester City back in the summer of 2019.
Previously of Vasco da Gama in Brazil, Luiz spent two seasons on loan at Girona after his 2017 move to the Etihad Stadium.
City cashed in without ever handing Luiz a competitive debut, selling Luiz to Villa for around £15million.
Work permit issues played a part in that lack of action at City but Villa were more than happy to bring him in.
“Douglas is an extremely talented young player with an outstanding pedigree who I am sure will fit nicely into our style and system of play,” said then-Villa boss Dean Smith upon striking the deal in 2019.
Five years on, Luiz has proven himself as a success at Villa and in the Premier League.
Luiz has racked up more than 200 appearances in a Villa shirt, chipping in with 22 goals and 24 assists along the way.
Last season was a superb one for Luiz, hitting 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.
Villa have previously fended off interest in Luiz, famously rejecting three bids from Arsenal before the summer deadline in 2022.
The 26-year-old has continued to go from strength to strength since those offers, making himself a mainstay in the Villa engine room.
Now set to part ways, Luiz will be looking to take his Villa success to Italy as he prepares for the next step in his career.
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