Douglas Luiz – who left Manchester City in 2019 – has quickly developed into one of the best players in the Premier League.
The Brazil international has already scored five goals in just nine Premier League appearances this season, helping Aston Villa sit fifth in England’s top-flight.
With each passing week in which the South American does well, Manchester City fans and other supporters wonder why he was sold – Alan Shearer even thinks the Brazilian has transformed Aston Villa.
So, why did Manchester City sell Douglas Luiz? Let’s take a look…
Why Manchester City sold Douglas Luiz
Well, the treble winners found themselves in a difficult situation with Luiz.
Manchester City signed the 25-year-old from Vasco De Gama back in July 2017, but were unable to get him a work permit.
Luiz consequently spent two seasons on loan at Girona – a side involved in the City Football Group – as Manchester City tried to secure him a work permit.
Unfortunately, the UK Home Office never relented, and the Brazilian was continuously denied a work permit, leaving Manchester City no choice but to sell him.
Luiz’s move to Aston Villa was also subject to a work permit.
However – in this instance – the UK Home Office green lighted the deal due to the £15m fee involved, as well as a convincing presentation from Aston Villa, according to Birmingham Live.
That will surely irk Pep Guardiola, who was effectively forced to let a top talent leave the Etihad Stadium.
It was either that, or continue to loan Luiz out until he eventually obtained enough points to secure a work permit, which may have taken years.
Manchester City did also negotiate a buyback clause when selling the Rio de Janeiro-born maestro to Aston Villa, but that has now expired.
It is a shame that the UK Home Office didn’t really offer Manchester City much assistance with Luiz’s work permit, and it cost Guardiola an exceptional footballer – to say the least.
