Premier League champions Manchester City inserted a buy-back clause in Douglas Luiz’s contract when they sold him to Aston Villa for £15m?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has told the MEN that Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has the quality to play for the Premier League champions with a buy-back clause enabling them to re-sign the Brazilian youngster should they wish to do so.
City plucked a teenage Luiz from the relative obscurity of Brazilian football in 2017 but, thanks to work permit issues, he never managed to make a competitive appearance under Guardiola and left for Aston Villa over the summer in a £15 million deal (BBC).
The 21-year-old has made quite the impression at Villa Park, scoring glorious goals against Bournemouth and Norwich, though he is yet to establish himself as Dean Smith’s first choice defensive midfielder amid competition from Marvelous Nakamba and Conor Hourihane.
And Guardiola has now admitted that Man City have the option to re-sign Luiz if they feel the need, adding that the former Vasco da Gama wonderkid has a potential future at the heart of his midfield, potentially once compatriot Fernandinho calls it a day.
“He would’ve been here, but without work permit it’s not possible,” said Guardiola, who frequently used Luiz in pre-season before the tough-tackling enforcer left on a permanent basis.
“We sent him on loan too, now he’s in Aston Villa. I think we have an option to buyback but life is like that.”
“We wanted him because we had problems in that position last season, we didn’t buy a holding midfielder till 3rd or 4th season, but rules here didn’t allow it. When he played in the States (in pre-season), he was really good. I think he has the quality to play with us.”
Fernandinho will be 35 before the season is over and, with Rodri the only real other option for the ‘number six’ role in Guardiola’s squad, there could be a place at Manchester City opening up for Douglas Luiz sooner than expected.
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