Unai Emery opts against £23m Douglas Luiz deal as Villa look elsewhere | OneFootball

Aston Villa have decided against triggering their £23m option to buy Douglas Luiz, according to ExpressAndStar.com. The midfielder will leave again this summer and return to parent club Juventus in time for pre-season.

Luiz moved from Villa to Juventus for £42.5m two years ago. He rejoined on loan in January after injuries to Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn.

The Brazilian struggled to make the desired impact. During the run-in Unai Emery turned to youngster Lamare Bogarde and defender Victor Lindelof for midfield cover, as Villa sealed a top-four Premier League finish and won the Europa League.

A popular figure with supporters, Luiz made more than 200 appearances in his first spell between 2019 and 2024. He had been keen on a permanent return after struggling for form with Juventus and during a loan at Nottingham Forest in the first half of the season.

Emery has opted to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements in the upcoming window. Villa also want more pace in attack, with Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes on the shortlist. Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza is a defensive target who can cover right-sided centre-back and right-back.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com