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Douglas Luiz has sealed a return to the Premier League – but it won’t be while wearing the Red shirt of Manchester United, according to reports.
Midfield reinforcements
United are on the hunt for a new midfielder as the summer transfer window approaches its final week.
During pre-season, Ruben Amorim spoke of the need for more energy in the centre of the pitch with an athletic number eight the profile the Portuguese coach has requested.
However, the club’s first-choice target – Bright & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba – proved a deal too difficult to pull off, although the Red Devils intend to return for the 21-year-old midfielder next summer.
Alternative names have been floated, including Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) and Morten Hjulmand (Sporting CP), but there is a sense that United are reluctant to invest a significant amount of money with a deal for Baleba still on the horizon.
Cheaper options have also been considered, such as Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Luiz, who Juventus are keen to sell this month after a failed move from Aston Villa last year.
Luiz would have constituted a gamble for United, given his issues with form and injury in Turin, but he remains a Premier League proven midfielder with a strong blend of athleticism and technical ability.
Juventus were pushing for a permanent exit but were open to a loan if it included a buy obligation – which has led to a different Premier League club jumping the queue ahead of United for the Brazilian midfielder.
Forest strike first
Fabrizio Romano reveals Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal with Juventus to sign Luiz as the Midlands club look to build on their success last season.
🚨🌳 Douglas Luiz to Nottingham Forest, here we go! Deal now done for fee around €30m to Juventus.
Understand #NFFC are planning for the Brazilian to travel today destination UK if documents are exchanged in time.
Medical can take place on Thursday if all goes to plan. ✈️🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/vx52RjxTcD
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2025
Tweet: “Douglas Luiz to Nottingham Forest, here we go! Deal now done for fee around €30m to Juventus. Understand #NFFC are planning for the Brazilian to travel today destination UK if documents are exchanged in time. Medical can take place on Thursday if all goes to plan.”
The Athletic reports the deal is a loan with an obligation to buy clause “based on the number of games he plays for the Premier League club.” Forest also retain the right to trigger the €30m option if they wish, regardless of the number of appearances.
At 27, in poor form and on big wages, Luiz does not fit the mould of a typical INEOS signing, and it is understandable why they were reluctant to advance on their interest in the Brazilian.
But United’s need for reinforcements in the centre of the pitch is obvious, even if the pivot of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes performed admirably against Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season.
Luiz would have offered a player attuned to the pace and physicality of the Premier League off the ball, while retaining the skill to thrive on it.
If United had offered a sizeable loan fee, a compromise may have been able to be reached with Juventus on the obligation clause as Luiz’s choice between Manchester and Nottingham would have been a quick one for the former Aston Villa star.
But a deal was never explored and, as a result, United’s hunt for a new midfield continues with the number of options quickly dwindling and deadline day on September 1 fast approaching.
Featured image Francesco Pecoraro via Getty Images
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