'Pep Guardiola raved about me - now I could join Man Utd in a January swap deal'
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Douglas Luiz could be on his way to Manchester United in an audacious swap deal that would see Joshua Zirkzee move to Juventus - five-and-a-half years after Pep Guardiola allowed the Brazilian to leave Manchester City. Luiz, 26, has endured a torrid season ever since he swapped Aston Villa for the Italian giants last summer. It now appears Juve boss Thiago Motta is willing to part with the Brazilian international and may use him in a curious swap deal that could see the Dutchman Zirkzee head to the Old Lady.
Like Luiz, Zirkzee has struggled to acclimatise to his new environment, but still retains admirers back in Serie A, where he starred during Bologna's historic season which saw them qualify for the Champions League. The only point of concern for both players is that there are many moving parts to such a deal, particularly at Old Trafford, where Kobbie Mainoo, 19, also faces an uncertain future. If Luiz was to move to the red side of Manchester, Guardiola may likely watch on in regret from the blue half.
Were it not for a complication in his work permit, Luiz could currently be at the heart of City's midfield. In the summer of 2017, City signed him from Vasco da Gama when he was only 20. City immediately loaned him to Girona so he could gain some first team experience. When he returned, he did not automatically qualify for a work permit from the UK Home Office, meaning City had to apply to the FA for an exemption to be made.
