Man Utd target opposes his club’s wishes and skips first day of pre-season training to push for Premier League move

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·24 July 2025

Man Utd target opposes his club’s wishes and skips first day of pre-season training to push for Premier League move

Amidst the merry-go-round of Manchester United-linked players this summer is Douglas Luiz, who was touted for a Premier League return to aid the Red Devils’ negotiations to offload Jadon Sancho.

Indeed, the former Aston Villa star had been brought up in conversations regarding United’s transfer plans due to Juventus’ interest in signing Jadon Sancho – a deal that has still yet to materialise despite talks being underway for several weeks now.

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Luiz’s Juventus tenure has been hugely underwhelming thus far. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

United have also reportedly been considering a separate move for Luiz irrespective of Sancho’s situation in a bid to bolster Ruben Amorim’s ranks with a Premier League-proven, technical addition in the middle of the park.

Now, with Luiz also eyeing a premature Allianz Stadium exit, he has tried taking matters into his own hands; according to Italian outlet Gazzetta, the Brazilian international skipped the first day of Juventus’ pre-season this morning.

The Turin outfit had not authorised his absence, leaving him in hot water with club chiefs.

How Luiz is pushing for his Juventus exit this summer

It was recently claimed that Luiz’s agents would meet with several of his Premier League suitors this week to discuss his potential return to England, where he spent six years and racked up 175 top-flight appearances before joining the Old Lady for £42.3 million in June 2024.

Football Italia have credited United as one of the sides targeting the 27-year-old, along with the likes of Everton, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and the newly-promoted Leeds United.

As things stand, no offers have been sent Juventus’ way, with the board hoping to recuperate around £34.7m from his departure.