- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Juventus have now included a different player to secure a deal for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Negotiations between Juventus and Aston Villa for Douglas Luiz have been progressing but the Italian giants have always been keen on including players in the deal.
American midfielder Weston McKennie was one name that Juve were considering offering, as was Samuel Iling-Junior.
HITC understands that the original offer from the Turin based club included McKennie and Iling-Junior plus £16 million. However, due to McKennie’s personal terms being an issue for Villa, they have included a different player in the deal.
Juventus include South American midfielder in Luiz deal
Sources have confirmed to HITC that Juventus have now included Enzo Barrenchea as part of their deal to land Luiz from Unai Emery’s Villa.
As mentioned, McKennie was the name that was originally included in the deal but HITC understands that the American midfielder could not agree terms with Juve to terminate his deal which led to the two sides discussing other players.
Villa, via their footballing chief Monchi, came up with defensive midfielder Barrenchea and the Italian giants have agreed to that suggestion from the Villains.
Now the deal can progress as Luiz has already agreed terms on the move to Turin and is set to move to Juve to play under new manager Thiago Motta.
Villa set to land exciting defensive midfielder who has been compared to Rodri and Busquets
The 20-year-old defensive midfielder had a season long loan at Frosinone and seemingly impressed his manager Eusebio Di Francesco.
“With me you’re breaking an open door, because Enzo is a really strong player,” Di Francesco said, as per TuttoMercatoWeb.
“He was undergoing a bit of a transition in terms of cultural, environmental and football context, but he had a fantastic evolution up until before the injury and then he has recovered very well. Characteristics? He is no different from Rodri or Busquets, he is a playmaker and can also play as a midfielder.
“He has an aerial game, knowledge, covers the pitch well, has great technique, dominance under pressure, play more vertically and now he is much more complete.”
Villa are set to get two exciting players in Iling-Junior and Barrenchea from the Luiz sale.
HITC understands that Villa are set to receive slightly more money with the Villains set to receive £21 million from the deal, rather than the £16 million they were originally set to earn from the sale of the Brazilian midfielder.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
