Chelsea consider Douglas Luiz loan for rest of season | OneFootball

Chelsea are considering a loan move for Douglas Luiz for the rest of the season.

According to NY Times, the Juventus midfielder is on loan at Nottingham Forest and has made 13 appearances since August. Forest’s deal includes an obligation to buy tied to appearances, with a €30m option if he does not reach the mark.

Chelsea view him as a fit for Liam Rosenior’s side as they compete in the league, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. Luiz joined Juventus from Aston Villa in summer 2024 for €50 million plus €1.5m in add-ons and struggled to establish himself.

He missed time with a hamstring injury and has started only two Premier League games since Sean Dyche replaced Ange Postecoglou as Forest head coach in October. The 27-year-old has had six injuries across the past 15 months, which is why Chelsea favour an initial loan.

Chelsea’s midfield options are Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Andrey Santos, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia, but Essugo and Lavia have been sidelined. Lavia, back in training, has not completed a full match since a £53 million move in 2023 and has seven appearances, the last in early November with a quad problem.

Essugo is yet to feature this season after a serious thigh injury and a setback following recent bench returns. As cover, Reece James and Malo Gusto have often been used in midfield, while Luiz suits Rosenior’s preferred double six and brings Premier League experience with Villa and Forest.

Chelsea host Crystal Palace on Sunday. If he signs, Luiz would be ineligible for next Wednesday’s Champions League league-phase game against Napoli because UEFA registration only reopens for the knockouts.

Source: NY Times