Manchester City consider re-signing Aston Villa star in shock nine-figure transfer swoop

Manchester City are interested in re-signing Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz next summer, with the player set to enter the final two years of his current deal.

The 25-year-old has played a crucial role in Aston Villa’s meteoric rise under Unai Emery, with the Midlands club reaching the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League and currently just three points off Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Luiz has played in 26 matches for Villa already this season, with the Brazil midfielder directly involved in eight Premier League goals.

Aston Villa signed the midfielder from Manchester City for £15 million in 2019, two years after the Brazilian had moved to the Etihad Stadium from Vasco Da Gama as a 19-year-old.

Luiz, who never made a first-team appearance for Manchester City, enjoyed a loan spell at City Football Group side Girona, prior to moving to Villa Park under the management of Dean Smith.

Manchester City inserted both a sell-on and buy-back clause in the player’s Villa contract, and despite the latter expiring, Pep Guardiola’s side are reportedly interested in re-signing the 25-year-old.

Football Insider claim that Manchester City have a ‘strong interest’ in re-signing the midfielder, amid renewed interest from Arsenal, after the Gunners had a number of bids rejected for the Brazilian last year.

Luiz, who is contracted at Villa Park until 2026, is yet to decide on his long-term future and and has reportedly had his ‘head turned’ by Manchester City and Arsenal’s recent interest.

Manchester City famously agreed a record-breaking £100 million deal to sign former Villa captain Jack Grealish in 2021, with the Englishman having since made 110 appearances for the Blues and won six trophies – including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Any potential deal for Luiz next summer could reportedly cost similar, with Football Insider claiming that Villa will demand a nine-figure sum to sell the Brazilian in 2024.