Why Nottingham Forest lead the race for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz | OneFootball

Reports in Italy suggest that Premier League side Nottingham Forest are the current frontrunners to acquire the services of Juventus and former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, who has had a frustrating time in Turin since his big-money move in the summer transfer window.

Douglas Luiz re-cap at Juventus

The Brazil international, who was named Aston Villa’s Player of the Season in 2022-23, joined Juventus in a €50m deal last summer that also saw Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea move in the opposite direction, albeit in separate transactions.

Despite being one of the most expensive and high-profile arrivals in Serie A over the summer, Douglas Luiz has struggled to force his way into the Juventus line-up under both Thiago Motta and his replacement Igor Tudor.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JULY 02: Douglas Luiz of Brazil warms up prior to the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group D match between Brazil and Colombia at Levi’s Stadium on July 02, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old has struggled on and off with muscular injuries this season, limiting him to just 16 Serie A appearances this term, only three of which have come as a starter. All told, Douglas Luiz has played for less than 800 minutes across all competitions this season. He had played for 4,353 minutes in his final season with Aston Villa.

Douglas Luiz vented his frustrations in a recent exchange online, pointing out that while he has had injuries this season, he has also had to sit on the bench while fit. “Why hasn’t a signing like me played two consecutive matches with this shirt?,” he asked.

Why Nottingham Forest lead race for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz

TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Douglas Luiz of Juventus is challenged by Karol Linetty of Torino during the Serie A match between Torino and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Reports in Italy over the course of the calendar year have linked Douglas Luiz with a return to the Premier League.

While there had been a series of rumours during the January transfer window, including a return to one of his former clubs, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest have also been tipped as frontrunners in the race to land his signature.

As Tuttosport explains, Forest tick two key boxes in the Douglas Luiz pursuit.

Firstly, they are in a position to satisfy Juventus’s demands for selling the Brazilian, given that sporting director Edu Gaspar has already established contact with the Bianconeri. Champions League qualification will also help Forest from a financial point of view.

Secondly, Forest, on the verge of Champions League qualification, is a project that is of interest to Douglas Luiz according to Wednesday’s report.