Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz is allegedly interested in a quick return to the Premier League.
During the summer, Luiz made the switch to Turin at a time when Aston Villa were required to make a big-money sale to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations.
At the time, the move suited all parties with Luiz also keen for a new challenge, but the transfer has brought a halt to Luiz's career.
The Brazil international has been restricted to three starts and 13 substitute appearances in all competitions, there being no sign that Thiago Motta plans to promote him up the pecking order.
According to talkSPORT, that has led to the 26-year-old being increasingly open to cutting short his time in Italy.
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Reunion with a familiar face?
As per reporter Alex Crook, there may be interest from Manchester City, where Luiz was contracted between 2017 and 2019 without making a competitive appearance.
On talkSPORT Breakfast, Crook said: "I have been told on good authority they are looking for a defensive midfielder. I think it's that midfield area Pep Guardiola himself admitted to me after they drew at Brentford that it's a problem for them.
"If it's an easy deal to do, then I can see that City would be interested. Certainly I think it's one to keep an eye on."
City are currently in the process of signing Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush from Lens, Palmeiras and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively.
None of the aforementioned trio are central midfielders, leaving the door open for Luiz to potentially return to the Etihad Stadium.
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Villa in the mix?
Nevertheless, Crook added that Villa could also be contemplating a surprise reunion with Luiz over the next two weeks.
Unai Emery is making several changes to his squad, with Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen having essentially replaced academy graduate Jaden Philogene who has signed for Ipswich Town.
Diego Carlos may also sign for Fenerbahce, which would leave Emery requiring a new centre-back, while a new right-back is also on the agenda.
Central-midfield appears down the list of priorities, yet progressing to at least the last 24 of the Champions League may loosen the purse-strings further.
Darren Plant
