The Sun recently reported that Fernandinho could leave Manchester City next summer after eight years at the club and one player the Sky Blues could sign as a replacement is Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.
The 22-year-old joined Villa on a four-year deal in July 2019 and has impressed under Dean Smith, but he has a buyback clause which would allow City to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium. According to the Daily Star, it seems likely that they will do so either in January or at the end of the season.
Luiz failed to make an appearance in his two years at Manchester City as he had the likes of Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne for competition in midfield. However, he impressed while on loan at Girona, making 46 appearances between 2017 and 2019, and was signed by Villa for £15.12m last year.
City included a £25m buyback clause in the deal as they felt Luiz had the potential to be a first team player in the future, so one Brazilian could soon replace another at the Etihad. The Villa midfielder created 17 chances, won 29 aerial duels, made 34 successful dribbles and averaged a tackle (46) or interception (36) every 32 minutes in the Premier League last season.
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City signed Rodri to be their new ball-winner for Fernandinho’s eventual departure, but he has has an unconvincing first year to life in Manchester. Luiz could be the answer for Pep Guardiola, which may not be what Villa fans want to hear.
In other news, Aston Villa should consider this Premier League midfielder as an alternative to bit-part players such as Marvellous Nakamba.
