Fabrizio Romano says 'Here We Go' to the craziest transfer of the summer

Tom Weber

Updated: 22 Jun 2024 19:06 BST
4 min read

The crazy swap deal between Aston Villa and Juventus involving three players is done, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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It may just be the most ridiculous transfer of the summer window. Aston Villa and Juventus have agreed on a deal to send Douglas Luiz to Turin, while Samuel Iling-Junior, Enzo Barrenechea and a fee of €28 million are heading to Birmingham.

According to Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement for this massive transfer has at last been reached and it is 'here we go' done, with only medicals and the official signing of the contracts still remaining.

This deal had been in the works for some time, but it was complicated by the fact that Juventus had to pick a different midfielder to include in the swap after failing to reach an agreement with Weston McKennie over the conditions of his exit.

The USMNT star was initially planned to head to Aston Villa alongside Iling-Junior but he ultimately delayed the deal and was dropped from the talks in favour of Argentine midfielder Barrenechea.

Still more to come?

There is likely still more to come with regard to this deal in particular and similar transfers in the future. Douglas Luiz is currently dating Aston Villa women star Alisha Lehmann and Italian media has speculated that she will follow him to Turin.

Similar moves are also currently in the works, though few of them will officially be designated swap deals. The reason why Villa are even considering moving on Luiz, one of their undisputed star players, is due to their problems with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

The Champions League-bound side need to raise a certain amount in transfer fees before June 30, hence why they have been very busy so far this summer. Tim Iroegbunam has already been sold to Everton for €10.6 million, while the Toffees, themselves needing to make sales, are on the verge of selling Lewis Dobbin to Villa.

Meanwhile, the Birmingham outfit are also engaged in talks with Chelsea. Ian Maatsen has completed the first part of his medical and he is set to join the Villans for more than €40, while Omari Kellyman is expected to head the other way for a fee in excess of €20m.

Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher and Villa striker Jhon Duran could also yet trade places. Elsewhere, Everton are in talks with Newcastle over the sale of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while Yankuba Minteh could trade Tyneside for Merseyside in return.

It is shaping up to be the summer of the (unofficial) swap deal, with clubs looking to exploit transfer loopholes to help them balance the books.