Douglas Luiz, a marquee signing for the then Juve manager Thiago Motta for €50 million (US$58m) from Aston Villa last summer, has returned to the Premier League.
There were a plethora of English top tier teams chasing the Brazilian midfielder, but Nottingham Forest secured his signature last night on a season-long loan with a conditional obligation to purchase at just €25m (US$29m).
Juventus have received a loan fee of €3m (US$3.4m) from last year’s Premier League surprise package, and if a permanent move goes through the transfer fee will be paid in four equal instalments.
Luiz, who only made three Serie A starts last term, failed to impress in a Juve jersey until the recent pre-season festive friendly against Juventus Next Gen.
He was surprisingly singled out for praise from that match by head coach Igor Tudor, who he had previously upset after failing to report for the first three days of pre-season training.
Juventus posted on their official club website: “Best of luck for the future, Douglas!”
Rio de Janerio-born Luiz joined Manchester City from Vasco da Gama in 2017, and two years later switched to Aston Villa where he enjoyed an outstanding five seasons before being snapped up by Juventus.
Tudor’s midfield plans are moving along with Arthur Melo set to be loaned out for the fourth season on the spin and Fabio Miretti following a right thigh injury.
Arthur is expected to turn out next term for Brazilian outfit Gremio, where he kicked off his career, with an announcement imminent.
Miretti’s proposed deal to Serie A champions Napoli has been called off after he sustained an injury against the Juventus Next Gen. Further tests are scheduled this month to establish how serious the tear is to his thigh muscle.
Edon Zheghova, a right midfielder, is being eyed up as Luiz’s successor. He could team up with his former LOSC Lille team-mate Jonathan David, who joined Juventus last month, although he is also on the radar of Olympique Marseille.
Cash-strapped Juve are trying to push a deal through with Atletico Madrid to sell winger Nicolas Gonzalez to finance the swoop for pacy Kosovo international Zheghova.
Gonzalez only joined the Turin titans on a permanent basis last month following a season-long loan from Fiorentina but Juventus are open to offers to offload the Argentina 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.Zhegrova’s asking price has dropped to €20m (US$23.2m), because the Ligue 1 side wish to cash in as his contract expires next June.