Spalletti and Comolli split over Douglas Luiz’s Juventus return from Aston Villa – report

Aston Villa are not expected to make Douglas Luiz’s move from Juventus permanent, but while Luciano Spalletti seems eager to give the Brazilian a second chance in Turin, Damien Comolli would rather listen to offers for the 28-year-old, Gazzetta reports.

Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz is expected to return to Juventus in the summer, as Aston Villa are unlikely to make his move permanent for €25m.

Douglas Luiz had a troubled season on loan in the Premier League, first with Nottingham Forest and then with The Villans and remains under contract with Juventus until June 2029.

The 28-year-old only played one season in Turin, leaving the Allianz Stadium on a temporary transfer last summer, after failing to score or assist in 27 appearances with the Bianconeri in 2024-25.

According to Gazzetta, Spalletti would gladly give a second chance to Douglas Luiz in Turin. Juventus hired the Tuscan tactician in October 2025, so he has never coached the Brazilian midfielder at the Allianz Stadium.

Spalletti is aware that the lack of Champions League football in 2026-27 will reduce Juventus’ appeal in the market, as evidenced by Bernardo Silva’s decision to join Atletico Madrid rather than the Old Lady.

Therefore, the Bianconeri boss would like to test Douglas Luiz as a playmaker in the pre-season, but his view is reportedly not shared by Comolli.

According to the report, the French director would rather listen to offers for the 28-year-old, who scored only one goal and provided two assists in 34 appearances for Forest and Aston Villa in 2025-26.

Juventus will inevitably need to sell some of their players to offset the loss of Champions League revenue, and Comolli sees Douglas Luiz as one of those who might depart to boost the club’s finances.