Weston McKennie’s wage demands are the major stumbling block to overcome in the deal between Juventus and Aston Villa for Douglas Luiz.
That’s according to Calciomercato.it, who say the Brazilian has already agreed to the move and is now waiting for McKennie to do likewise.
They back up reports from elsewhere that for the clubs to find an agreement on the operation, which will be valued at €65m, Aston Villa need to find an agreement with McKennie.
The outline of the operation has been worked out and will see Douglas Luiz and McKennie valued at €25m, while Samuel Illing-Junior will be somewhere from €15-20m. Aston Villa value him at €15-20m. Aston Villa value him a €15-17m while Juventus are at €20m.
Cristiano Giuntoli and Moncho are negotiating on that front and have gotten closer to an agreement.
Juventus, meanwhile, have already reached an agreement with Luiz and his agent Kia Joorabchian on a deal worth €5m plus bonuses.
There is still no agreement between Aston Villa and McKennie, though, as he has asked for €5m a year in wages. He demanded that in contract renewal negotiations with Juventus and has continued to do so with Villa.
That figure is considered too high by Aston Villa, particularly because it is higher than Luiz’s current €4m a year packet. The plan is to iron out these final details in the next few days.
The Brazilian midfielder may not be the only one departing Villa Park either, with CM.it reporting that Juventus Women have already made an enquiry for Alisha Lehmann.
There is no real urgency on that front, but they are seriously thinking of signing Lehmann, who is Luiz’s partner, valuing the ‘enormous media and social reach’ of having such a duo at the club.
