‘Everton set to make Douglas Luiz decision as Conor Gallagher stance emerges’
Everton have been searching hard for a midfielder this summer and it appears they have now identified their ideal candidate.
The Toffees are in need of serious improvements in the market after failing to finish above 13th in each of the last four seasons.
And while the loan of Carlos Alcaraz has been made permanent, Abdoulaye Doucoure’s departure at the end of his contract leaves another big hole in David Moyes’ midfield.
Everton have been heavily linked with Conor Gallagher and Douglas Luiz in recent weeks, although they’re not alone in the hunt for the Premier League duo.
Everton will struggle to land Conor Gallagher signing
Former Premier League scout Mick Brown told Football Insider (17 July) that Gallagher is open to leaving Atletico Madrid for a Premier League return.
However, alongside Everton, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are understood to be seriously pursuing the former Chelsea man.
Given the financial riches of Newcastle and the fact that both clubs can offer European football, it’s hard to imagine Everton winning out in the battle for Gallagher’s signature, despite their historically greater stature in English football.
“Everything being equal, if he had the chance to join Newcastle this summer, I believe he would do,” Brown told Football Insider.
“Things don’t quite seem to have clicked for him in Spain, even though they rate him highly over there and the manager like what he brings.
“He’ll have one eye on the World Cup next year and he knows he has to play regularly to get into that England squad, but he’s not doing that at Atletico.
“So from what I hear, the chance to come back to the Premier League is certainly appealing.
“But it will depend on what these clubs are willing to pay for him.“
Douglas Luiz a ‘high-quality’ alternative to Gallagher
Should Gallagher choose to go elsewhere, that would likely set Everton’s sights firmly on Douglas Luiz.
The Brazil international left Aston Villa for Juventus in the summer of 2024, but he’s struggled to make an impact in Turin, playing just 516 minutes of Serie A action last season.
It’s understood Everton have already submitted an official £26million bid to Juve for Luiz, whose quality exploits in the Premier League remain fresh in the memory.
| Premier League stats | Douglas Luiz |
| Appearances | 175 |
| Goals | 20 |
| Assists | 18 |
If they can pull it off, Luiz would be an excellent signing for Everton, and one who gets the seal of approval from the club’s former chief, Keith Wyness.
“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 told Football Insider.
“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.”