Juventus talks with Nottingham Forest to avoid Douglas Luiz’s return.
The transfer window is often compared to a game of chess, but for Juventus and Nottingham Forest, the situation surrounding Douglas Luiz has devolved into a high-stakes game of “Hot Potato.” As of mid-January 2026, the Italian giants are reportedly locked in frantic negotiations to prevent a “boomerang” scenario that would see the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder dumped back on their doorstep in Turin this summer.
What was supposed to be a career-reviving loan for the former Aston Villa star has transformed into a bureaucratic nightmare, involving “frozen” playing time, specific minute-count clauses, and a manager in Sean Dyche who appears to be playing the long game with his team selection.
The Disastrous ‘Turin Year’ and the Escape to the City Ground
To understand the panic in the Juventus boardroom, one must look back at the €50 million (£42m) investment they made in the summer of 2024. Luiz arrived from Aston Villa as the “crown jewel” of a new-look Juve midfield. However, his time in Italy was nothing short of a sporting catastrophe.
- Tactical Misfit: Under then-manager Thiago Motta and later Igor Tudor, Luiz struggled to adapt to the slower, more tactical pace of Serie A.
- Injury Plagued: A series of muscle injuries saw him miss 20 games in a single season.
- The Fallout: The relationship reached a breaking point last summer when Luiz reportedly failed to show up for pre-season training, forcing a move back to the familiar surroundings of the Premier League.
Juventus thought they had solved the problem by shipping him to Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan. The deal was designed to be permanent: a €3m loan fee followed by a €25m (£21m) obligation to buy, provided certain conditions were met.
The 45-Minute Clause: A Tactical Stand-Off
The “poison pill” in the contract is the specific nature of the permanent transfer trigger. For Nottingham Forest to be forced to pay the €25m, Douglas Luiz must make 15 Premier League appearances in which he plays at least 45 minutes.
As we stand on January 13, 2026, the statistics tell a grim story for Juventus:
- Appearances to Date: Luiz has featured in roughly 12 league matches.
- The “Qualified” Count: Only 5 of those appearances have met the 45-minute threshold.
- The Dyche Factor: Known for his “no-nonsense” approach, Sean Dyche has frequently used Luiz as a late substitute—bringing him on in the 70th or 80th minute. This gives Forest the benefit of his experience without ticking the box that costs them £21 million.
Reports from Tuttosport suggest Juventus have realized that Forest is “systematically avoiding” triggering the clause. With only 17 Premier League games remaining, Luiz needs 10 more “qualified” appearances. If Dyche continues to use him as a “bit-part” player, the obligation will fail, and Luiz will return to Italy as a devalued, unwanted asset.
Plan B: The January ‘Mercy Kill’
Juventus director Marco Ottolini is reportedly working on an “Emergency Plan B” to avoid this outcome. The Italian club is currently proposing two solutions to Forest:
- The Discounted Trigger: Juventus may offer to lower the €25m fee to €18m if Forest agrees to waive the 45-minute requirement and sign him now.
- The Loan Termination: If Forest refuses, Juve is prepared to terminate the loan this January and re-route Luiz to another Premier League club—rumored to be Everton or Wolves—who would be willing to accept a mandatory buy clause with easier triggers.
A Career at the Crossroads
For Douglas Luiz, the “man caught in the middle,” the situation is bleak. Once hailed as one of the best midfielders in England, he now finds himself being used as a tactical pawn in a financial dispute. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Luiz desperately needs regular starts to convince Brazil’s coaching staff he belongs in the squad.
If he remains at the City Ground under Dyche’s “minute-management,” his World Cup dreams could be over before the summer even begins.