West Ham and Everton battle for £30m+ Luiz transfer amid ‘significant’ update
West Ham are among the clubs interested in bringing Douglas Luiz back to the Premier League.
Luiz was outstanding in the Premier League with Aston Villa before moving to Juventus last year, where he has since struggled.
West Ham may revamp their midfield options, and Luiz could be an ideal addition as someone who can make an instant impact next season.
However, Everton are also interested, and Juventus have now named their conditions for a deal, which could be off-putting.
Juventus set £34.5million total asking price for Luiz
Luiz looks destined to return to the Premier League, but it is unclear which club he will elect to join if several offers come in.
A loan deal has been mooted for the Brazil international, but Juventus now want there to be a permanent element attached to any transfer.
Italian outlet Tuttosport (17 July) have now reported that Juventus want a £34.5million total package for Luiz, which includes a £8.6m loan fee and £25.9m purchase obligation.
Everton are thought to be ahead in the race after making “significant” progress in recent days. However, both the Toffees and West Ham are currently hesitant about a deal due to the finances involved.
West Ham should wait for Luiz
Clearly, Luiz’s future could take some time to resolve, and unless a surprise club emerges, it appears that no one will pay his asking price.
The midfielder would be a strong addition to Potter’s team, but the financial situation at the London Stadium means spending a huge amount on him would likely come at the expense of other signings.
Although proven in the Premier League, Luiz’s poor year at Juventus could also serve as a red flag, as signing out-of-form players has not gone well in the past
Kalvin Phillips, for example, arrived as an experienced player with a point to prove, but his loan move ended up being a disaster, and West Ham cannot afford to commit to an obligation to buy for Luiz if they want to avoid a repeat.
If there is no interest in Luiz at that price, West Ham could negotiate a straight loan or a lower total package later in the window, but should not pursue a deal unless that price comes down.
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West Ham are ready to raid the transfer market in an attempt to equip Graham Potter with a refreshed squad.
The Hammers confirmed the signing of Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Tuesday (July 15), who joins from Slavia Prague in a deal worth around £19million.
