BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa Reacts during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace at Villa Park on December 26, 2020 in Birmingham, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)

Milan Make Contact with Aston Villa Star Douglas Luiz

Milan have reportedly identified sought-after Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz as their new midfield target this summer. As per Calciomercato, the Brazil international sits at the top of the Italians’ shortlist. 

Paris Saint-Germain have blocked the Serie A champions’ path to Renato Sanches. The Lille midfielder had been Stefano Pioli’s top target to replace Franck Kessie. However, Les Parisiens have leapfrogged Milan into the head of the queue. 

Sanches’ switch to the Parc des Princes seems like a mere formality. Christophe Galtier’s arrival at the helm in place of Mauricio Pochettino has convinced the Portuguese ace to choose PSG over Milan. That leaves the Rossoneri in an awkward spot.

Milan wasted plenty of time and energy persuading Sanches to move to San Siro. Time-consuming talks between parties fell apart last week when the 24-year-old opted to ditch the Italians in favour of securing a move to Paris. 

It is now up to Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara to find an alternative. Luiz has found his place on the Italians’ shopping list. Like Sanches, the Brazilian has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years. 

He has established himself as one of the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League. The 24-year-old was one of the key components of Steven Gerrard’s Villa side last season. Alongside John McGinn, he was a linchpin between the Lions’ backline and attack. 

So it’s not strange that Gerrard wants to keep hold of his standout performer. And recent speculation suggests he could see out his plan. Luiz reportedly looks to run down his contract at Villa Park and leave as a free agent next summer. 

But Milan can ill-afford to wait until the summer of 2023. They need to sign a new midfielder as soon as possible. That could force the Rossoneri to accelerate their interest in Luiz and try to cut a deal with Villa in the coming weeks. 

Milan have already made contact with Luiz. It is now up to Villa to decide whether they want to sell their prized asset or lose him on a free transfer next year.