Everton and West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing 27-year-old Brazilian international Douglas Luiz from Serie A outfit Juventus this summer.
According to a report by Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Douglas Luiz is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a holding midfielder in the summer transfer window. So, the 27-year-old Juventus outcast has emerged as a target for the East London outfit.
However, the former Aston Villa midfielder is also a target for Everton. However, the Toffees are behind West Ham in the battle for his signature. Meanwhile, the Hammers want to secure a loan deal by offering an initial fee worth €10 million with a purchase option of €25-30 million.
Douglas Luiz and his struggles
Douglas Luiz has endured a nightmare since joining Juventus from Aston Villa last summer. The 27-year-old was one of the best players in the Premier League when he arrived at the Allianz Stadium. However, poor form and fitness issues have been the name of the game during his spell with the Bianconeri.
The Brazilian international has not even managed 1,000 minutes of game time across 27 outings thus far for Juventus. However, Luiz’s stock in the market remains high, and a return to the Premier League may be on the cards. Everton and West Ham United are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.
Premier League return on the horizon?
Everton’s interest in Douglas Luiz is understandable. The Toffees are scouring the market for a midfielder this summer amid Idrissa Gueye’s advancing age. So, Luiz is a viable target for the Merseyside outfit, as he can be a like-for-like long-term successor to the Senegalese midfielder.
However, Everton must overcome West Ham to land Luiz, with the East London outfit leading the battle for his signature. The Hammers want to sign the former Aston Villa midfielder on loan with an initial fee worth €10 million and a purchase option of around €25-30 million. It can convert into an obligation under “certain conditions”.
However, the conditions of the deal are the sticking point for Juventus, as the Serie A giants do not want a conditional purchase clause. So, Everton may have a window of opportunity to beat West Ham to the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder’s signature.
