Douglas Luiz’s European journey could be reaching a turning point. After a challenging spell with Juventus and a frustrating loan at Nottingham Forest, the 27-year-old midfielder is reportedly leaning towards a sensational return to his boyhood club, Vasco da Gama.
The “Stuck” Clause in England
Currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, Douglas Luiz finds himself in a complicated contractual situation. According to reports from Tutto Sport and Tuttomercato, Forest would be obligated to trigger a €25 million permanent move if the Brazilian plays five more matches of at least 45 minutes each.
However, with Ibrahim Sangaré and Elliot Anderson cementing their places in the starting XI, manager Nuno Espírito Santo has left Douglas on the bench most notably during the recent clash against Arsenal. This lack of game time has alarmed Juventus’ sporting director, Marco Ottolini, who is now looking for an alternative permanent solution.
The Vasco da Gama “Homecoming”
As Douglas Luiz’s playing time in the Premier League diminishes, Vasco da Gama have emerged as the frontrunners to sign him. Reports from NT Vascaínos suggest that the player has already reached an agreement in principle with the Rio de Janeiro giants.
The move would represent a significant “reset” for the midfielder, who became a star at Aston Villa (204 appearances, 22 goals) but struggled to replicate that form in Turin. Juventus are reportedly open to the move, as their priority is to avoid having a high-value asset sidelined on the Forest bench.
A Career at a Crossroads
Since leaving Vasco in 2017, Douglas Luiz has had a decorated but inconsistent European career:
- Girona: 46 games (on loan from Manchester City).
- Aston Villa: 5 seasons, becoming one of the league’s top defensive midfielders.
- Juventus: 27 matches, but only 6 starts, leading to his current loan spell.
For the player, a return to Brazil at 27 years old is seen as a way to reclaim his spot in the Brazilian National Team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, prioritizing minutes over the prestige of European bench-warming.
