Douglas Luiz to Everton: ‘What a statement, this speaks volumes’
Everton are looking to bolster their midfield ranks ahead of their first Premier League campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes is currently in the midst of a squad rebuild on Merseyside, as he looks to replace a number of high-profile players who left last month after failing to agree on a new contract.
Football Insider exclusively revealed last month (18 June) that the Toffees plan to back Moyes in the transfer market with a budget of around £70million.
On Wednesday (16 July), Everton submitted a £26million bid to Juventus for Douglas Luiz, who only made the switch to the Italian giants from Aston Villa just 12 months ago (BBC).
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Luiz would be a “high-quality” signing for his former side.
‘Everton signing Luiz is good, but it’s not Grealish’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insists that Luiz would be up for coming back to the Premier League, and that the Brazilian is a “Moyes-type player”.
The 27-year-old started just three Serie A games for Juventus last season, and has been linked with a move back to the Premier League after just one year away.
Wyness added that although Luiz would add a lot to Everton, it wouldn’t be a “statement signing”, as that tag is reserved for players on the level of Jack Grealish.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I don’t think I’d classify it as a statement signing. I think I would say it’s a very solid signing. I think Luiz would be very good.
“He may well be up for coming back into the Premier League. I did like him at Villa. I think he can add a lot, and he’s a Moyes-type player.
“I’d put him as a high-quality signing, but not necessarily a statement signing. I don’t know if we’ve got one of those yet. I don’t think Thierno Barry is a statement signing. He’s too young and he’s probably still at the lower level of his career.
“Grealish would have been a statement signing. That’s where I would classify it. But certainly to be linked with players of the quality of Luiz. I think it speaks volumes about where the club is at now in terms of signing. All very positive.”
Ashley Young to join Everton’s Premier League rivals
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Ashley Young is unlikely to remain in the Premier League next season.
Young left Everton last month following the expiration of his contract and despite being 40 years old, has no plans to retire.
However, sources say that the former Manchester United man may be forced to drop down to the Championship in order to find a new club.
The full-back is also expected to have offers from abroad, but is happy to make the move to the second tier of English football.
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