Douglas Luiz: Wyness reveals truth on Aston Villa sale – ‘sources tell me…’
Aston Villa’s former chief Keith Wyness has revealed club sources have told him the sale of Douglas Luiz was necessary to add “more options” to Unai Emery’s midfield.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted selling the 26-year-old would be “a loss to any team”.
Juventus confirmed on Sunday (30 June) that Luiz has joined the club for a total potential fee of £43.6million.
Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea have moved to Aston Villa in separate deals.
Luiz notched 10 goals and 10 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions in the 2023-24 campaign as the Midlands club secured Champions League qualification.
Villa have sold the Brazil international as well as Tim Iroegbunam and Morgan Sanson to balance the books and avoid punishment under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Aston Villa target ‘more options’ in midfield after Luiz sale, says Wyness
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Luiz is, without doubt, a very talented player.
“But speaking to my Villa sources, they do believe that they needed more options in midfield. They felt they could cover what Luiz offered, while also adding more attacking options – and that’s what Barkley will bring.
“There is a case they were overstocked in certain styles, and letting Luiz go means they can now have more options – and that’s what Emery likes.
“It would be a loss to any team – he’s a quality player – but that’s how they see it going forward.”
In other news, Aston Villa pull Jacob Ramsey U-turn after big twist.
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