Aston Villa receive Douglas Luiz transfer update after Steven Gerrard revelation

Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz was recently identified as a transfer target for Roma, according to reports.

The Brazil international made 34 appearances for Villa this season, largely in the holding midfielder position. Steven Gerrard ’s recent acquisition of Boubacar Kamara from Marseille had led supporters to believe that Luiz may be handed a more box-to-box role next season at Villa Park.

It was then reported in Italy that the 24-year-old was on Roma’s list of targets , with Luiz only having 12 months left on his deal. A fee of £30million was also mooted as boss Jose Mourinho was said to be a long-term admirer of the Villa midfielder.

However, Roma recently completed the signing of Nemanja Matic as a free agent from Manchester United, bolstering Mourinho’s midfield options. This news led to football transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano to suggest that a move for Luiz is currently not Roma’s top priority in the transfer market.

“It’s a player that they’ve always been tracking but there’s never been a proposal to Aston Villa,” Romano told CBS Sports’ Que Golazo Podcast . “I think after signing Matic they have many good midfielders now.

“They have players like (Bryan) Cristante. We need to understand what happens with (Jordan) Veretout, what happens with Sergio Oliveira who was on loan with a buy option but as of now they’re not triggering that buy option.

“They need to make many decisions with the midfield so for Douglas Luiz there’s nothing imminent.” Asked for a final word on Luiz potentially joining Roma this summer, Romano added: “At the moment, no, not close.”

Luiz was previously linked with a move to the Stadio Olimpico last summer, while also alleged to have attracted interest from Arsenal.