The summer transfer window saw significant moves in Serie A, with Douglas Luiz joining Juventus and Joshua Zirkzee moving to Manchester United. Both players were among the most talked-about signings, with Luiz transferring from Aston Villa for a reported €28 million net (approximately €50 million including player exchanges), while Zirkzee was acquired by United for €42.5 million, with around €26 million going to Bologna and the rest to Bayern Munich.
As November draws to a close, concerns are beginning to surface regarding both players’ performances. While it may be premature to label them as failures, their statistics raise eyebrows. Douglas Luiz was brought in to be a central figure in Juventus’s midfield but has only featured in nine matches, totaling 312 minutes on the pitch—an average of just 34 minutes per game—without scoring or assisting. Similarly, Zirkzee has made 18 appearances for United, accumulating 721 minutes but managing only one goal and two assists.
Calciomercato report how, given their struggles, speculation is already swirling about potential transfers, including rumors of a swap deal between Juventus and Manchester United that would see Douglas Luiz return to the Premier League while Zirkzee heads back to Serie A. However, as of now, there appears to be no solid foundation for such a transaction in the upcoming January transfer window.
Regarding Douglas Luiz’s situation at Juventus, a departure seems unlikely for several reasons. First, both sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli and coach Thiago Motta have faith in his abilities and are willing to give him time to prove his worth. Additionally, considering the financial investment made in acquiring him, Juventus views Luiz as an asset that needs to be nurtured rather than depreciated. The club’s priorities for the next transfer window include securing at least one central defender to address injuries within the squad and potentially finding a backup for Dusan Vlahovic. In this context, parting ways with a key midfielder like Douglas Luiz would complicate their plans significantly.
On the other hand, Zirkzee’s situation at Manchester United has also been scrutinized. New manager Ruben Amorim expressed some frustration with Zirkzee’s positioning during matches, emphasizing the need for him to be more proactive in attacking situations. Amorim’s comments reflect a constructive approach aimed at maximizing Zirkzee’s contributions.
Despite the challenges faced by both players, there remains potential for Zirkzee to become a target for Juventus in future transfer windows. Thiago Motta would welcome the opportunity to work with Zirkzee again after their successful stint together at Bologna, where Zirkzee recorded 12 goals and seven assists in 37 appearances.
While it may be difficult to envision a scenario where Douglas Luiz’s departure coincides with Zirkzee’s arrival at Juventus anytime soon, both players will be eager to turn their fortunes around as they navigate their respective challenges in Serie A and beyond.
