Igor Tudor pushes Juventus to offload Douglas Luiz before funding his new midfield core

Morten Hjulmand is now firmly at the top of Igor Tudor’s midfield priorities, but Juventus must first move Douglas Luiz to fund the potential deal.

The Brazilian isn’t just surplus to requirements—he was told by club management he is free to find a new club after recording only 516 minutes in Serie A across 19 appearances last season, averaging less than 27 minutes per outing.

Morten Hjulmand of Sporting plays against Richard Rios of SL Benfica during the Portuguese Super Cup Final match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica…

Discontent was brewing internally as Luiz skipped a pre-season training session without explanation, an act that led to disciplinary proceedings. It also underscored the widening rift between player and club, making his departure appear inevitable.

Reports say Nottingham Forest have moved ahead of Manchester United and others in the chase, and there’s already an understanding in principle with Luiz’s agent.

The midfielder is reportedly open to a return to the Premier League, on wages near €5 million per season on a long-term deal.

Juventus are demanding €40 million for Luiz, a figure based on their investment in him and his potential resale value, but Forest’s offer currently stands at €32 million structured as a loan with obligation to buy—still short of Juve’s target.

Juventus’ Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz and Juventus’ Argentinian forward Nicolas Gonzalez arrive on the pitch ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup…

Securing that sale is crucial because Tudor has identified Morten Hjulmand of Sporting Lisbon as his preferred reinforcement.

The 26‑year‑old has agreed personal terms with Juventus on a deal running until 2030, but Sporting value him at €50–60 million thanks in part to an €80 million release clause.

Fans have seen his leadership and defensive intelligence—in Europe this season he made 49 appearances, scoring five times and delivering four assists—helping guide Sporting to the Primeira Liga title and earning back‑to‑back Team of the Year honours.

Juventus have reportedly drawn their line in the sand at €40 million for Hjulmand, with club sources emphasizing they won’t exceed that figure.

Proposals may still include a player swap (possibly involving Weston McKennie), though Sporting is said to favor a cash-heavy arrangement.

The longer the Luiz sale stalls or the gap between the bid and asking price persists, the more pressure mounts to consider alternate midfield targets.

As a secondary option, Matt O’Riley of Brighton has emerged. The Danish midfielder, with experience at Celtic and a £25 million transfer last summer, has struggled with fitness but remains on Juventus’s radar.

Matt O’Riley of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates scoring their third goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Tottenham…

Interest has also been reported from Napoli, Roma, Atalanta, and even international clubs, although his form has yet to stabilize.

If Douglas Luiz can be moved before the end of the window, Juventus would generate much-needed liquidity for reinforcements.

However, failure to reach even close to the €40 million mark may weaken their stance in negotiations for Hjulmand, leaving them with the unenviable choice of overpaying or pursuing lower‑cost alternatives.

Amid this uncertainty, Tudor remains patient: he is said to continue monitoring Yves Bissouma, Sofyan Amrabat, and even Franck Kessié as contingency options should the Sporting deal collapse.