Douglas Luiz has completed a stunning transfer from Aston Villa to Italian giants Juventus. The 26-year-old has signed a contract that will keep him at the Allianz Stadium until 2029.
Alongside this move, Luiz's girlfriend, Alisha Lehmann, who currently plays for Aston Villa Women, is also expected to join Juventus Women in a transfer that could have significant implications both on and off the pitch.
Luiz, who arrived at Villa Park from Manchester City for £15 million in 2019, leaves behind an impressive legacy at the Midlands club. During his five-year tenure, he featured in 204 matches, finding the back of the net 22 times and providing 24 assists.
His departure marks a significant financial achievement for Villa, who have accumulated an impressive £82 million in transfer sales this summer. This total includes the sales of promising academy talents Omari Kellyman to Chelsea for £19 million and Tim Iroegbunam to Everton for £13 million.
The transfer agreement will see Aston Villa receive a substantial €50 million (£42.35 million) from Juventus for Luiz's services. As part of the agreement, Juventus youngsters Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea will move in the opposite direction, joining Aston Villa in a separate deal valued at £22 million.
These strategic moves align with Villa's ambitions to bolster their squad ahead of their upcoming Champions League campaign under the guidance of esteemed manager Unai Emery.
Expressing his delight at joining the Bianconeri, Luiz addressed Juventus fans in a video message, stating,
"Hello Juventini. I'm really happy to be a Bianconero and I can't wait to play in the Allianz Stadium."
The transfer was orchestrated through extensive negotiations spearheaded by Villa's President of Football Operations, Monchi, and Director of Football Damian Vidagany.
Alisha Lehmann, Luiz's partner and a standout player for Aston Villa Women, is also poised to make the switch to Juventus Women. Lehmann, a Swiss international with an impressive social media following of 16.6 million on Instagram, netted four goals in the 2023/24 season. Her potential move to Juventus is viewed as a significant marketing opportunity for the Italian club, given her immense popularity and influence.
Anticipating Luiz's exit, Aston Villa has been proactive in the transfer market, securing the signatures of Chelsea's Dutch international left-back Ian Maatsen for £37.5 million and Everton's Lewis Dobbin for £9 million. Furthermore, Ross Barkley is expected to complete a £5 million move from Luton Town to Villa later this week.
Currently, Luiz is representing Brazil in the Copa America, where he has already made an impact, featuring in their 4-1 triumph over Paraguay. Lehmann has been spotted in the stands, supporting her partner. The couple, who rekindled their relationship around New Year's Eve following a brief split in 2022, recently enjoyed a vacation together in Las Vegas.
This high-profile transfer not only strengthens Juventus's midfield options but also has the potential to elevate their marketing appeal with the addition of Lehmann, one of the most recognisable figures in women's football.