Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz has been linked with Manchester City, and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is a fan of the midfielder.
Manchester City sold Douglas Luiz to Aston Villa in the summer of 2019 because of work permit issues.
Luiz has grown and developed a lot at Villa and is now one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Manchester City linked with Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz
City manager Pep Guardiola has previously spoken highly of the 25-year-old.
So, I was not surprised when it emerged that City are looking at potentially bringing Luiz back to the Etihad Stadium.
Journalist Dean Jones reported in GiveMeSport last week City are interested in signing Luiz.
Jones reported that City are really keen on bringing Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024, but they are also keeping an eye on Luiz as an alternative.
The GiveMeSport journalist has claimed that “Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa is a player that City have tracked since earlier problems with a work permit restricted him from playing for them between 2017 and 2019.”.
Paul Merson gives verdict on Douglas Luiz
Former Aston Villa star and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson is a huge fan of Luiz and has noted that he can do pretty much everything as a midfielder.
The pundit believes that it could be hard for Villa to keep the midfielder beyond the January transfer window.
Merson told SportsKeeda: “Douglas Luiz will have some takers as early as January, the pressure will be on Villa to reject advances for the midfielder.
“He’s one of the most underrated players in the Premier League – there’s not much he doesn’t do.
“I’m a big fan of him and he has shown up week in and week out this season so far.”
I personally do not think that Villa will sell Luiz in the January transfer window.
Yes, City are a wealthy club and can offer a lot of money, but Villa are in the running for the UEFA Champions League places in the Premier League this season.
Villa are not under any financial pressure to sell Luiz.
I believe that City would have a better chance of signing the 25-year-old in the summer of 2024.
Luiz has made 149 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.
The midfielder has scored 16 goals and given 13 assists in those games.
