MANCHESTER CITY are keeping a close eye on Douglas Luiz with a £25million buyback option remaining on the Aston Villa midfielder.
Pep Guardiola is happy enough with his existing midfielders for the coming campaign and will not propose a return for the Brazilian this summer.
Douglas Luiz left Manchester for Villa Park in a £15million deal last yearCredit: Getty – Contributor
However, City have another 12 months to enact the clause agreed when Luiz signed for Villa in a £15m deal last year.
The impressive escape from relegation pulled off by Dean Smith’s side was certainly helped by the 22-year-old’s performances from the middle of the park.
Luiz started every one of his team’s games from February onwards, accruing 42 appearances throughout the season.
It was the player’s debut season in English football despite signing for City in 2017.
And Villa’s survival also bagged the Manchester club an extra £1m fee as part of the add-ons in Luiz’s sale.
City signed him from Vasco da Gama but he spent both seasons on their books on loan at Spanish side Girona.
Work permit problems prevented Luiz from playing even a single minute for his former club, although he was allowed to sign for Villa and made his Brazil debut in October.
A fresh contract extension has been rumoured as the Midlands club look to stave off any interest in their star.
Arsenal have also been described as keeping tabs on Luiz ahead of the new campaign.
Ally McCoist believes £80m would be too much to pay for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
