‘Bid submitted’ – Everton make first move to sign £30m-rated Aston Villa and West Ham target
The latest transfer news as Everton swoop for a major Aston Villa and West Ham target.
Everton have reportedly sent a first bid to sign Douglas Luiz, moving ahead of Aston Villa in the race to sign the Juventus midfielder.
The Toffees are eager to bolster their midfield options following the departure of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Luiz, who left Villa for Juve last summer in a £42.35 million deal, could be available for a bargain price. It hasn’t been the best first year in Italy for the Brazilian and a return to the Premier League looks likely.
Villa have been linked with a potential reunion with Luiz after he made just six starts for Juventus last season across Serie A and the Champions League. Signing a midfielder isn’t a priority for Unai Emery at this stage but it could be tempting to swoop for Luiz if the opportunity arises. That may have to be sooner rather than later, as Everton are seemingly pushing for Luiz themselves.
Everton submit bid for Douglas Luiz
Seen by many as one of the Premier League’s best box-to-box midfielders only 18 months ago, Luiz could ditch Serie A and return to comfort in the English top flight. TEAMtalk reports Everton have offered Luiz a route to do just that by submitting an official bid to Juve.
Although the amount offered is undisclosed, it’s claimed that Juve are looking for €35 million (£30.3m) to let Luiz go, upping their valuation after initially asking for €25 million (£21.6m). The report suggests Villa and West Ham United are very much in the picture and are preparing official proposals themselves.
It could turn out to be quite the tug of war between all three clubs. At first glance, many would assume that Villa would be the favourites given their Europa League status, their better standing in the Premier League and their existing relationship with the player. But Luiz, likely scarred by his lack of game time last season, might prioritise minutes over any previous connection.
Former Villa scout backs Luiz return
It could be tricky for Luiz to regain such star status if he were to return to Villa Park as Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley joined after the Brazilian’s departure. The likes of Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn have been formidable, too. It doesn’t hurt to have yet another top-class option, though, and Emery could utilise Tielemans and McGinn as wide midfielders if need be.
One of Villa’s former scouts, Bryan King, reckons it could be a good move for all parties and has suggested a 50 per cent markdown, making a deal worth about £21 million, would represent superb value in the current market.
“I think Villa could look to bring him back,” King told Villa News. “Why not? I think he would have been kept at the club anyway had Villa not needed the money. He hasn’t settled in well at Juventus, and it might not hurt Luiz to make a Villa return. They would basically be getting him for half price after selling him previously,” King added.
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