Roma have reportedly put Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz at the top of their transfer list to strengthen their midfield this summer.
Luiz, 24, has been a key figure for Villa in recent years and has been a consistent figure in the starting line-up in the defensive No.6 role in front of the backline.
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While there have been question marks raised and criticism of his ability to play that particular role given his defensive weaknesses, Villa boss Steven Gerrard moved to bring in Boubacar Kamara this summer and the Frenchman is widely expected to now take up that position in the side.
In turn, that perhaps raises doubts over Luiz’s future not only in the XI but at the club, and as per Calciomercato, it’s reported that Roma are keen on the Brazilian international who will see his current contract expire in 12 months time.
It’s added that his salary is within Roma’s budget, and his agents are said to be travelling to Italy this week to hold talks and will potentially try to reach an agreement on personal terms before the two clubs negotiate a transfer.
Villa’s midfield is now packed with options as John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Morgan Sanson, Marvelous Nakamba, Carney Chukwuemeka, Tim Iroegbunam, Kamara and Luiz all battle for a spot in the starting XI, and so there is a case to be made that exits are now needed to trim the numbers.
Time will tell if Luiz is the one to go, but particularly with the arrival of Kamara in his usual role coupled with his contract situation, it does raise doubts over his future at Villa.