Aston Villa transfer news: Villans strike 'verbal agreement' to re-sign 27-year-old midfielder

By Carter White | 27 Jan 2026 17:46

Second City return? Villa strike 'verbal agreement' to re-sign midfielder

Aston Villa have reportedly moved closer to the signing of Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz this month.

The 27-year-old has spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, with the player struggling to make a significant impact in the East Midlands.

Luiz has started just five top-flight contests under a mixture of three managers, featuring in just 318 minutes of Premier League football in 2025-26.

The midfielder's only start of 2026 to date arrived in Portugal last Thursday, when Sean Dyche's troops were defeated by Primeira Liga outfit Braga in the Europa League.

Villa reach 'verbal agreement' for Luiz signing

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa are edging towards the signing of a familiar face during the final days of the winter window.

The report claims that the Villans have reached a full verbal agreement with Juventus for the services of Luiz until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

It is understood that the Italian giants are set to recall the Brazilian from his difficult spell at Nottingham Forest before sending him out on loan to the Second City club.

Unai Emery's side will supposedly pay for the services of Luiz for the remainder of the season, whilst also possessing an option to buy the star permanently during the upcoming summer.

Talks over a potential return to Villa Park for the 27-year-old commenced last week, with the player believed to be keen on a reunion at the Premier League title chasers.