Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz has insisted that he is not craving a return to Aston Villa this summer.
The Brazil international has endured a difficult first campaign since departing the West Midlands for Turin in June 2024 at a time when both clubs needed to balance their books.
Luiz has made just six starts and 19 substitute appearances in all competitions, his last outing in the first XI coming back in February.
Recently, Luiz took to his Twitch channel to suggest that he was missing life in the Premier League with his former club.
He said: "I miss Villa guys. I miss playing at Villa Park. I miss everything. Always in my heart."
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Luiz responds to comments
As a result, a perception emerged where Luiz was interested in a second stint with Aston Villa, where he had been a star man in sharp comparison to how he is viewed at Juventus.
However, the 27-year-old has since taken to Instagram to clarify his comments and dismiss suggestions that he is ready to leave Serie A.
Luiz said: "When I talked about Aston Villa, I was only referring to the affection I have for the place where I grew up as a man and a player, not to the desire to return.
"One must not mistake nostalgia with the desire to return: I love Juventus and am totally concentrated on our objectives."
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Is a return out of the question?
With 823 minutes of football having been accumulated in all competitions, it is not as if Luiz has been left permanently on the sidelines during 2024-25.
That said, all parties involving in last summer's big-money deal would have expected more, Juventus in particular in a position where they have not received value for their £42.35m.
A Premier League club - especially Villa - would be against shelling out that figure even if it became apparent that adding to his 175 appearances in the division was a possibility.
While Unai Emery would likely relish the chance to work with Luiz again, Villa are well stocked for central midfielders and allegedly need to sell before they can buy during the off-season.
Darren Plant
