Everton will reportedly compete with West Ham United to sign 27-year-old Brazilian international Douglas Luiz from Juventus in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Douglas Luiz is the subject of interest from Everton. The Toffees are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a productive holding midfielder in the summer transfer window. So, the 27-year-old Juventus flop has emerged as a target for the Merseyside outfit.

The former Aston Villa midfielder is also a target for West Ham United, even though recent reports have suggested that the Hammers will unlikely secure his services in the summer transfer window. However, Luiz prefers joining Everton instead of his other suitors, with Juventus keen on recouping as much of the €50 million they paid to sign him last year.

Douglas Luiz and his Italian troubles

Douglas Luiz has been a peripheral figure since joining Juventus from Aston Villa in a deal worth €50 million last summer. The Bianconeri signed one of the best players in the Premier League after his exploits for the West Midlands outfit. However, the 27-year-old has been a shell of the player he was at Aston Villa.

The Brazilian international has not even managed 1,000 minutes of game time across 27 outings thus far for Juventus. However, Luiz’s stock in the market remains high, with several well-known clubs across Europe setting their sights on him. Everton and West Ham United are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.

Premier League return on the horizon?

Everton’s interest in Douglas Luiz is understandable. The Toffees are scouring the market for a productive holding midfielder this summer after parting ways with Abdoulaye Doucoure as a free agent. In addition, Idrissa Gueye is in the twilight of his career. So, Luiz is a viable target for the Merseyside outfit. The report has pointed to Everton being ahead in the battle for his signature.

As for West Ham United, the Hammers are keen on reinforcing their midfield unit this summer after Guido Rodriguez and Carlos Soler failed to make their mark last season. In addition, Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek, and James Ward-Prowse face an uncertain future at West Ham. So, Luiz is an option worth considering for the East London outfit.

However, West Ham must look elsewhere for a midfielder, as the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder is keen on joining Everton in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Juventus will look to recoup as much of the €50 million they paid to sign him last year. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the former Aston Villa star.