Nottingham Forest are keen on bringing former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz back to the Premier League during the January transfer window following his struggles at Juventus, according to reports from Spain.
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also corroborated the report, claiming that the City Ground club have joined the race for the Brazilian, who left the Villa Park club last summer.
Forest are one of the surprise contenders for one of the Champions League spots for next season following an impressive form during the first half of the 2024-25 campaign.
Esclusiva.
Interesse del Nottingham Forest per Douglas Luiz. pic.twitter.com/4ddy39Zffn
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) January 8, 2025
🌳🇧🇷 Nottingham Forest are among the clubs showing interest in Douglas Luiz.
He’s still not a regular starter at Juventus and his situation is open this January. @MatteMoretto 🫱🏻🫲🏼 pic.twitter.com/wjUYX8EY3z
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2025
The Tricky Trees are third in the Premier League table after 20 games, level on points with Arsenal, and manager Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to strengthen his options in the middle of the park before the winter transfer window ends.
Luiz has emerged as a target after he notched nine goals and five assists in 35 Premier League appearances for Villa last season.
The 26-year-old has not enjoyed his Juve career so far after starting just two of the 13 games he has featured in for the Serie A club.
A return to the English top-flight could appeal to him, and Forest are ready to hand him that chance this month.
Luiz brings the needed experience the Reds could do with to the table after helping Villa finish fourth in the Premier League last season.
The Brazilian international played 175 league games for the Midlands club over the course of five seasons, weighing in with 20 goals and 18 assists, and Forest need someone within their ranks as they look to establish themselves as regular top-four challengers.
Former Arsenal sporting director, Edu Gaspar, who is set to oversee the transfers of Forest going forward could have reached out to Luiz and recommended him to the club, and a deal could be struck for him in the coming days in what will be a huge boost for Espirito Santo.
