Aston Villa snub Douglas Luiz purchase as Juventus face repeat of Arthur problem

Douglas Luiz becomes costly Juventus transfer headache

The situation bears uncomfortable similarities to the Arthur Melo saga that plagued Juventus for years, a highly-paid midfielder, contracted until 2029, who has proven impossible to move on permanently and continues to drain resources without contributing on the pitch.

Juventus signed Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa in the summer of 2024 for €50 million plus €1.5 million in additional costs. What followed was a near-total failure. He managed just six starts in his only season in Turin, accumulating 877 minutes without a single goal or assist.

Shipped to Nottingham Forest last summer on a conditional loan, where 15 appearances of at least 45 minutes would have triggered an obligation to buy, he fell short of even that threshold, making just 14 appearances. The move to Villa in January was a last roll of the dice, and it has not worked either.

Still with years remaining on his contract, and no suitors willing to commit to a permanent deal, Juventus face the prospect of either absorbing him back into the squad or accepting a significant financial loss to move him on in the summer.