Chelsea are actively negotiating a deal to bring former Premier League midfielder Douglas Luiz back to England, as reports from Italy suggest.
The Brazilian, who joined Juventus from Aston Villa last summer in a £42.35m move, could be leaving Turin just seven months after his arrival.
Despite making over 200 appearances during a successful five-year spell at Aston Villa, Luiz has struggled to secure regular playing time at Juventus, starting only three league matches under manager Thiago Motta.
With the January transfer window underway, Juventus are reportedly open to offloading the 26-year-old, deeming him surplus to requirements.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea are keen to strengthen their midfield options, particularly after a disappointing festive period that saw them drop out of the Premier League title race.
While the Blues initially expressed interest in signing Luiz on loan, Juventus are pushing for a permanent deal.
The Italian giants are seeking to balance their squad and create space for new signings, including defensive reinforcements. They’ve identified Chelsea’s Renato Veiga and Newcastle United’s Lloyd Kelly as potential January targets.
Additionally, Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has scored 30 goals over the last season-and-a-half, is another player Juventus are willing to sell. Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Vlahovic’s situation.
Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli hinted at upcoming changes in the squad, stating, “We do not want to go into the outgoing market, but we need to implement the squad.
For the defence, we will focus on guys who can give a big hand. We are convinced that we will return to being competitive soon.”
Chelsea, yet to secure any January signings, have also been linked with Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.
However, former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling has expressed skepticism about the move, stating that Chelsea already have a surplus of wingers, including Neto, Madueke, and Sancho.
As Chelsea continue to explore their options, Luiz’s potential return to the Premier League could provide a timely boost to their midfield as they look to reignite their season.