Spalletti has decided Douglas Luiz and Arthur future

A surprise Brazilian twist could be unfolding at Juventus, with two of the club’s biggest transfer disappointments potentially earning an unexpected second chance.

The players in question are Arthur and Douglas Luiz, both of whom returned to Turin after their respective loan spells and were widely expected to leave this summer. However, with no concrete offers arriving, their futures at Juventus are no longer as clear-cut.

Following Juventus’ pre-season victory over Nice, where Douglas Luiz scored the winning goal, head coach Luciano Spalletti revealed that he intends to carefully evaluate both midfielders before making a final decision on their future.

Douglas Luiz started for the third consecutive pre-season match, while Arthur was also given minutes in the second half.

According to Spalletti, their involvement is not simply due to injuries and the absence of several players, but rather a deliberate choice as he searches for greater quality in midfield.

“I liked the commitment shown by Arthur and Douglas. They thought they had been pushed aside and were surprised that we wanted to evaluate them.

The club invested a lot of money in them, and we want to assess them properly. Giving them an opportunity and seeing their dedication is a sign of intelligence and quality,” Spalletti said after the match.

Why Juventus Could Keep Them

Spalletti has made no secret of his desire to build his midfield around a technically gifted deep-lying playmaker, similar to the role played by Stanislav Lobotka during his time at Napoli and David Pizarro earlier in his coaching career.

However, identifying the ideal player on the transfer market has proven difficult, especially after Juventus prioritized major investments in attack and the signing of a new goalkeeper.

As a result, the Italian coach is now considering whether Arthur and Douglas Luiz can be revitalized, as both possess the technical qualities that fit the profile he is looking for.

Financial considerations also play a significant role. Juventus invested heavily in both midfielders but has received very little in return.

Arthur joined the Bianconeri from Barcelona in 2020 in a deal worth over €80 million, although it included Miralem Pjanić moving in the opposite direction.

The transfer generated one of the largest capital gains in Juventus’ history. Now approaching his 30th birthday, Arthur has struggled through several disappointing loan spells and, despite extending his contract until 2027 to spread his salary costs, has attracted virtually no serious offers.

Douglas Luiz arrived from Aston Villa in 2024 for around €50 million after an outstanding Premier League campaign.

He was expected to become the leader of Juventus’ midfield, but his time in Turin has fallen well short of expectations. Following another difficult season, he too has yet to receive any concrete offers this summer.

According to Goal Italia, Spalletti’s willingness to reassess both Brazilian midfielders could represent one of the most surprising developments of Juventus’ summer, with their careers in Turin now far from over.

About The Author

Forza Juventus

See author's posts