Douglas Luiz Nears Premier League Return with Surprise West Ham Move After Juventus Exit and Alisha Lehmann Break-Up

West Ham open talks with Juventus for Douglas Luiz after failed Turin spell and personal heartbreak

It’s been a year of turbulence, both on and off the pitch, for Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian midfielder arrived at Juventus last summer with plenty of promise, a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most consistent deep-lying playmakers, and a dream of conquering Serie A alongside his partner, Alisha Lehmann. Fast forward 12 months, and that dream has unraveled.

Now, with Juventus ready to cut ties and Luiz no longer in a relationship with Lehmann — who remains in Turin with the club’s women’s side — the 26-year-old finds himself at a career and personal crossroads. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, West Ham United have emerged as shock frontrunners for his signature, with negotiations already underway between the Hammers and Juventus.

Juventus set €40m price tag for Luiz after underwhelming season

Juventus’ willingness to sell Luiz comes as little surprise. The midfielder struggled to make an impression under two different managers during the 2024–25 campaign, amassing just 516 minutes across 19 Serie A appearances — the equivalent of fewer than six full matches. Often stuck behind Manuel Locatelli and Nicolo Fagioli in the pecking order, Luiz became an afterthought in a squad chasing silverware.

Manager Igor Tudor, who arrived late in the season, has reportedly informed the Brazilian that he is not in his long-term plans. The club’s sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has set a valuation of €40 million, but there is a growing sense that Juve would accept a creative structure to facilitate a deal.

Enter West Ham.

The Londoners are said to be proposing an initial €10 million loan, with an obligation to buy for €25-30 million next summer — dependent on performance-related clauses such as appearances, European qualification or Premier League safety. It’s a smart, financially pragmatic move from the Hammers, who are looking to bolster midfield depth following the departure of Lucas Paquetá’s long-time midfield partner Tomáš Souček.

West Ham’s midfield rebuild and why Luiz fits

Douglas Luiz might not have hit the heights in Turin, but there’s no doubting his pedigree in English football. His five seasons at Aston Villa, during which he made over 175 Premier League appearances, proved his quality. At his best, he’s an elegant distributor, composed in possession and combative in defence — a player who can shield the backline, dictate tempo, and pop up with the occasional long-range goal.

David Moyes may be gone, but the need for intelligent midfielders at the London Stadium hasn’t changed. Under Julen Lopetegui, West Ham want to play a more possession-based game, and Luiz fits that bill. With the departure of seasoned campaigners like Aaron Cresswell and doubts over the long-term futures of players such as Pablo Fornals and Nayef Aguerd, the Hammers are in transition — and the Brazilian could be a stabilising presence in the middle of it all.

Off the pitch: Luiz and Lehmann’s very public split

Juventus v Udinese – Luiz

Luiz’s personal life has also made headlines in recent months. His high-profile relationship with Swiss international Alisha Lehmann was one of football’s most followed love stories. The two first met during their shared stint at Aston Villa and became one of the sport’s power couples, regularly featuring in campaigns, interviews, and joint social media appearances.

But their move to Juventus — a rare moment where a couple signs for the same club in the same window — seems to have marked the beginning of the end. Lehmann flourished with Juve’s women’s team, helping them secure the Scudetto. Luiz, meanwhile, struggled to find form or fitness.

When Lehmann celebrated the title win in April, Luiz was conspicuously absent from the post-match festivities. Soon after, reports of their breakup began to emerge. Neither party has spoken publicly on the matter, but friends close to the pair have confirmed the split was mutual but difficult. The timing of his imminent return to England, right as Lehmann prepares for another season in Italy, has only heightened intrigue.

Juventus eye Bissouma as Luiz replacement

Real Madrid CF v Juventus FC: Round Of 16 – FIFA Club World Cup 2025

With Luiz edging closer to the exit door, Juventus are already preparing for life without him. Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma has been earmarked as a prime target, and preliminary talks have reportedly taken place. Bissouma’s versatility and Premier League experience appeal to Tudor, who wants more dynamism in the middle of the park.

The potential sale of Luiz would fund that move. Juventus are keen to trim their wage bill and reinvest wisely as they rebuild for the 2025–26 season — especially with Champions League football back on the horizon.

What’s next for Luiz?

Assuming the West Ham move materialises, Douglas Luiz will return to a league that saw him rise from relative obscurity to a Brazil international. The Hammers offer the chance to play regular football, rebuild confidence, and perhaps work his way back into the national team reckoning ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States.

For West Ham, it would be a shrewd acquisition — a player entering his prime, with top-level experience and a hunger to prove himself again. For Luiz, it’s a chance to reset after a disappointing chapter in Turin and a difficult personal year.

His reunion with the Premier League may not be with the club people expected. But it could be exactly what both he and West Ham need.