Manchester United have been hit by a shocking twist in their summer transfer plans. Douglas Luiz, long considered a potential midfield reinforcement, is now on the verge of joining Nottingham Forest instead. Fabrizio Romano confirms that the Brazilian has agreed personal terms and is traveling to England for his medical, leaving the Red Devils scrambling for alternatives.
The unexpected move comes as United continue to chase Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but the Premier League club’s bold swoop has turned the transfer window on its head. Fans and pundits alike are asking: could this be the start of a chaotic summer for Old Trafford’s midfield rebuild?
Forest’s interest in Luiz first appeared in Italian media last week, but few expected the Premier League side to accelerate talks so quickly. Romano reported: “Nottingham Forest have agreed personal terms with Douglas Luiz… now pushing to get the deal done soon as talks with Juventus are accelerating.”
The Brazilian is now traveling to England to undergo his medical, a crucial step before the move is officially completed. This move signals Forest’s ambition to strengthen their squad with experienced Premier League talent.
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Douglas Luiz first arrived in England in 2017, signing with Manchester City. However, work permit issues prevented him from making a senior appearance. Instead, he spent two seasons on loan at Girona, a City Football Group-owned club in Spain.
Luiz then moved to Aston Villa, where he spent five seasons and became a key midfield presence. His performances earned him a £42.5m transfer to Juventus last summer, but his time in Italy did not go as planned.
At Juventus, Luiz struggled to secure regular playing time. He made just 19 Serie A appearances, totaling only 516 minutes. At the Club World Cup, he came off the bench in one game and did not feature in the other three.
Reports indicate that he missed the first week of pre-season training last month, suggesting his time in Turin was nearly over. A return to the Premier League could reignite his career.
United’s midfield has been a focal point this summer. While Douglas Luiz was an option, the club’s primary target remains Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, a 21-year-old star midfielder.
Baleba has impressed since his breakthrough at Brighton, but his £100m+ price tag makes a move financially complex. United may need to sell key players to fund a potential deal.
With Baleba’s price high, Manchester United are also considering Morten Hjulmand from Sporting CP. Reports suggest United could submit a £50m bid for the Danish midfielder if they fail to sign Baleba.
Hjulmand has a release clause of £68m, but Sporting could accept under £60m with add-ons. At 26, he brings a physical, commanding presence in midfield and was made captain under coach Rúben Amorim, who described him as a “fantastic player.”
To fund Baleba’s move, United may need to sell players like Rasmus Højlund, Jadon Sancho, and Alejandro Garnacho. Højlund could generate around £40m through a potential loan-to-buy deal with AC Milan. Sancho could bring £20–25m from clubs like Roma, Besiktas, or Juventus.
Garnacho is reportedly attracting Chelsea’s interest, potentially generating £50m. Combined, these sales could exceed £100m, giving United the financial firepower to pursue Baleba.
The Luiz hijack by Nottingham Forest leaves United in a delicate situation. Their first-choice midfield target remains Baleba, but the club must act fast to secure alternatives like Hjulmand before rivals step in.
Forest’s decision to swoop for Luiz demonstrates a growing ambition in the Premier League. The club is aiming to solidify its position with players experienced at the top level, and Luiz fits perfectly.
Fans of both clubs are now watching closely, as United’s midfield plans may need to be completely recalibrated.
While no official quotes have been released yet, sources suggest Luiz is excited to return to England. A Premier League comeback could provide him with regular playing time and the chance to restore his reputation after a difficult season at Juventus.
Luiz’s style, strong defensively, capable of linking play from deep midfield positions, could make him a pivotal figure for Forest. For United, missing out on Luiz emphasizes the need for a versatile number six to maintain balance and control in the midfield.
As the Premier League season approaches, Manchester United must finalize their midfield strategy quickly. Will they pursue Baleba aggressively, turn to Hjulmand, or explore other options?
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest appear ready to celebrate a major coup, landing a player who could immediately strengthen their squad.
The summer transfer window continues to be unpredictable. With Douglas Luiz set to join Forest, United face a race against time to secure their desired targets and fill critical gaps in the squad.
The Luiz saga underscores the competition in the Premier League, where clubs are increasingly willing to act decisively to snatch top talent.
For United fans, this transfer bombshell is a reminder that nothing is guaranteed in modern football. For Forest, it’s a chance to make a statement. And for Douglas Luiz, it could be the career revival he desperately needs.
The next few days will reveal if United can still land Baleba or pivot successfully to Hjulmand. Either way, the midfield chess game is far from over.
