Nottingham Forest close on deal to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus with €30m buy option

Luiz is close to joining Forest on loan from Juventus, with an obligation for the Premier League side to sign the Brazil international permanently based on the number of games he plays also included in the deal. The Athletic report there will also be a €30m (£25.9m/$34.9m) purchase option included in case Forest still want to pursue the transfer even if Luiz doesn't reach a certain tally of matches.

Luiz was a big presence in Aston Villa's midfield as the Birmingham side improved vastly under manager Unai Emery. He left for Juventus last year in a deal which helped the Villans avoid any punishments relating to Profit and Sustainability Rules but the move has been a poor one, with the 27-year-old failing to establish himself in Turin, starting only six games combined across Serie A and the Champions League.

He is now set to join a Forest squad which has been bolstered by other recent arrivals. Alongside earlier signings Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha and Dan Ndoye, Nuno Espirito Santo has also seen Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee and Arnaud Kalimuendo arrive at the City Ground. Juventus, meanwhile, already have the likes of Manuel Locatelli, Khephren Thuram-Ulien, Weston McKennie and Teun Koopmeiners available in central midfield.

Forest will hope to finalise the last details of the deal so they can officially announce Luiz's arrival. After a slow start, it has turned into an excellent window for Forest, having managed to keep Morgan Gibbs-White amid interest from Tottenham and the squad now strengthened ahead of their Europa League adventure.