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Manchester United’s race for a former Premier League midfield standout might now get trickier if the most recent reviews are to be believed.
Whereas a lot of the focus has been on United bolstering their assault after a disappointing 2024–25 season in entrance of objective, the Leeds pre-season pleasant introduced some realisation that midfield reinforcements can also be vital.
United’s engine room is much from its strongest.
It lacks an athletic, technically gifted midfielder, the kind head coach Ruben Amorim could have hinted he yearns for together with his admissions after the 0–0 pleasant with Leeds.
Luiz: a high midfield goal
A number of midfielders have been linked, one in all them being Juventus’ Douglas Luiz.
Given United’s obvious desire for Premier League-proven gamers this summer season, Luiz is a no brainer goal.
Earlier than shifting to Juventus, the place he endured a nightmare marketing campaign with simply three Serie A begins and 27 appearances in all competitions and not using a single objective contribution, Luiz was a standout Premier League midfielder.
On the coronary heart of Aston Villa’s midfield, the bodily and technically gifted Brazilian was admired for his capacity to manage video games from deep whereas providing defensive cowl. Lest we overlook, he was additionally an outstanding dead-ball specialist.
It’s unlucky that he didn’t take his Premier League exploits to Serie A. Maybe Italy was not his cup of tea, which is why he’s now considered pushing for a return to England.
Everton and West Ham had been considered able to rival United within the swoop, with Juventus demanding round £30 million.
Whereas the attraction of enjoying on the Theatre of Desires ought to have bolstered United’s trigger, a extra formidable switch rival has now emerged.
Based on Caught Offside:
“Liverpool are excited by signing the Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz throughout the summer season switch window… Liverpool might use extra high quality and depth in the course of the park, and Luiz could possibly be the perfect acquisition for them.”
If true, the Premier League champions muscling into the Luiz race might massively shake up the midfielder’s switch saga.
Luiz to Liverpool doesn’t add up
Would Luiz flip down the possibility to affix a title-winning aspect? That continues to be to be seen.
But when he’s eager to play extra subsequent season to make Brazil’s World Cup squad, a transfer to Liverpool might show a big gamble.
He could discover himself enjoying second fiddle to Ryan Gravenberch. And with Florian Wirtz’s arrival, Alexis Mac Allister might start that includes as a six, making it much more troublesome for Luiz to interrupt into the crew.
INEOS, for his or her half, will hope that being the primary to supply him an escape route from Allianz Stadium (having made a transfer final winter) and the promise of ample sport time at Outdated Trafford will sway him.
Both approach, United mustn’t depend on hope once they can sort out the deal head-on.
A swap deal (Jadon Sancho for Luiz), or perhaps a straight mortgage with an choice to purchase, might tempt the Bianconeri to sanction an exit, thereby permitting United to beat Premier League opposition to this vital midfield swoop.
Featured picture Francesco Pecoraro by way of Getty Pictures
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