Aston Villa plotting record move for “incredible” Douglas Luiz alternative

Despite enjoying an outstanding season that has seen Aston Villa establish themselves within touching distance of the Premier League summit, Unai Emery is unlikely to be completely at ease with the state of his squad as the January transfer window edges towards its conclusion.

One area of concern has emerged in attack following the permanent departure of Donyell Malen, who has completed a move to Serie A side AS Roma.

His exit reduces Villa’s depth in the final third, particularly at a time when fixtures are piling up across domestic and European competitions.

That said, reinforcements may soon arrive. Villa are closing in on a permanent deal to bring Tammy Abraham back to the club, with reports confirming that an £18 million agreement was struck on Friday afternoon. The England international’s return would provide Emery with a familiar and proven option up front.

Midfield issues, however, may pose a more pressing challenge. Villa recently confirmed that Boubacar Kamara is set to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a serious knee injury. His absence leaves a noticeable gap in the engine room, one Emery will be eager to address before the transfer window shuts.

Villa linked with shock £69m midfield move

In a surprising development earlier this week, Aston Villa were named among several Premier League clubs monitoring a potential move for former midfielder Douglas Luiz. Reports suggested the Villans were battling Chelsea for the Brazilian’s signature, with Luiz currently on loan at Nottingham Forest.

However, it has since emerged that Villa have cooled their interest and are no longer pursuing a reunion, instead shifting their focus towards alternative targets.

One such option is Eintracht Frankfurt’s highly-rated youngster Can Uzun. According to Sports Boom, Villa are weighing up a move for the Turkish international, although they face stiff competition from Newcastle United, who are also keen to secure his signature before the window closes on February 2.

Uzun has enjoyed an impressive campaign in Germany, contributing 12 goals and assists across 20 appearances in all competitions.

Frankfurt, though, are reportedly reluctant to part with their prized asset and have slapped an €80 million (£69m) price tag on the 20-year-old — a figure that would eclipse Villa’s current transfer record, set by the signing of Moussa Diaby.

Why Uzun could replace Luiz at Villa Park

Speculation surrounding Douglas Luiz’s possible return inevitably sparked excitement among the Villa faithful. During his five-year spell at Villa Park between 2019 and 2024, the Brazilian became a cornerstone of the team, racking up more than 200 appearances and scoring 22 goals.

Luiz was instrumental in Villa’s steady rise up the Premier League table and played a central role in the club’s progression under successive managers.

His departure to Juventus 18 months ago was reportedly driven by financial pressures, with Villa needing to balance the books to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

While a reunion now appears unlikely, Emery’s attention has seemingly turned towards Uzun, who offers a different but equally intriguing profile.

Although more attack-minded than Luiz, the Turkish midfielder possesses the technical quality and work rate required to thrive in the heart of Emery’s system.

Uzun’s numbers this season underline his growing influence. The Frankfurt star has produced nine goal contributions in just 13 Bundesliga appearances, demonstrating his ability to impact games in the final third while operating from deeper positions.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig has even labelled the youngster “incredible”, reflecting the widespread admiration for his rapid development.

Beyond goals and assists, Uzun has averaged 1.2 shots on target per 90 minutes and created 1.6 chances per game for his teammates, highlighting his creativity and composure in possession.

He has also shown maturity without the ball, posting averages of 1.2 tackles and 4.2 duels won per 90 — impressive figures for a player of his age.

Those attributes make Uzun an appealing box-to-box option for Villa, capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch. The primary obstacle, however, remains Frankfurt’s hefty valuation, which could deter potential suitors.

With Newcastle United also circling, Villa may need to act decisively if they are serious about landing the Turkish star. Nonetheless, investing in Uzun could prove to be a shrewd move for both the present and the future, as he appears to possess all the tools required to follow in Douglas Luiz’s footsteps and become a key figure at Villa Park.