Sancho Nears Juventus Move as Amorim Targets Douglas Luiz in Tactical Overhaul at Manchester United
Manchester United are close to finalizing a surprise swap deal that would send winger Jadon Sancho to Juventus, with Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz heading in the opposite direction.
The deal is part of new manager Rúben Amorim’s strategic rebuild as he looks to reshape a team that drastically underperformed last season.
Amorim, who took charge in November 2024 following the departure of Erik ten Hag, has been firm about his vision for a leaner, more functional squad.
His 3-4-3 system demands high work rate, positional awareness, and physical fitness—qualities Sancho has struggled to consistently deliver.
The English winger, who arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million in 2021, has seen his stock fall sharply following a well-documented fallout with Ten Hag and an underwhelming loan spell at Chelsea. Chelsea opted not to sign him permanently after a six-month stint.
With Amorim clearly not counting on him moving forward, Juventus have entered the picture, proposing a swap deal that would bring Douglas Luiz to Manchester.
The Brazilian, who previously impressed at Aston Villa, endured a tough debut season in Italy, making 27 appearances without registering a goal or assist.
However, Amorim is focusing on Luiz’s strong 2023–24 season at Villa, where he contributed an impressive 10 goals and 10 assists in a dynamic midfield role.
For United, Luiz represents a potential solution to a stagnating midfield. With Christian Eriksen having left the club and Casemiro’s performances on the decline, Amorim sees Luiz as a player who can offer energy, pressing ability, and attacking support to Bruno Fernandes.
Luiz’s experience in the Premier League is an added bonus, and Amorim is confident he can revive the 26-year-old’s form in a system that plays to his strengths.
Financially, the swap is advantageous for both clubs. By moving Sancho, United would offload his £250,000-a-week wages and avoid a large transfer fee.
Juventus, who value Luiz at around €30 million, are willing to structure the deal without direct cash exchange—aligning with United’s more cautious spending plans.
Sancho, for his part, is reportedly open to a pay cut if it means a fresh start in Serie A and a chance to rediscover his best form.
Other players like Antony, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho are also believed to be under evaluation as Amorim seeks to inject new life into the squad.
His approach is clear: players must fit the system, work hard in training, and show discipline—status and reputation no longer guarantee game time.
As United gear up for their pre-season tour through Asia and the U.S., the potential arrival of Luiz could be a key step in Amorim’s long-term vision.
His blend of defensive tenacity and offensive versatility could be exactly what the team needs to stabilize their midfield and bring balance to a side that conceded too often and created too little last season.
Ultimately, this bold Sancho-for-Luiz exchange highlights Amorim’s determination to prioritize tactical fit and team chemistry over big-name value—a philosophy United fans will hope finally delivers results.
