Manchester City are reportedly ‘considering’ a loan move for a highly-rated midfielder just six months into his stint at his new club.
Manchester City has been struggling in recent months, winning only twice in their last 14 matches across all competitions. Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League after 19 games, they seem unlikely to secure a fifth consecutive title, trailing league leaders Liverpool by 14 points, with one game in hand for the Reds.
A significant reason for this dip in form has been the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, 28. The Spanish midfielder injured his anterior cruciate ligament during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September and has not played since. In his absence, Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, and Matheus Nunes have stepped in, but replacing one of the best in his role is a tough task.
The January transfer window offers Pep Guardiola, 53, an opportunity to explore new options and possibly bring in reinforcements. Players like Martin Zubimendi and Bruno Guimarães have been linked to City, but another midfielder reportedly attracting the club’s attention is former Aston Villa player Douglas Luiz, with City said to be considering a loan move for him.
Luiz, 26, joined Juventus in June for £42.35m, according to BBC Sport. However, he has struggled to make an impact at Thiago Motta’s side, having played only nine Serie A matches without registering any goal contributions.
The player signed a five-year contract with the Turin-based club, with his girlfriend Alisha Lehmann also moving to Italy in what was dubbed a “couples transfer.”
In November, Italian publication Gazzetta reported that Juventus was “open” to letting Luiz leave in January if they received substantial offers.
A potential move to Manchester City could be beneficial for both sides. City would gain a short-term replacement for Rodri, while Luiz could regain his form in a league he knows well. Juventus might also be able to reduce their wage commitments, although the specifics remain unclear.
