Transfer Centre

Transfer rumours: Douglas Luiz to Juventus, Martin Dubravka to Celtic, Daichi Kamada to Crystal Palace

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 11 June 2024

Transfer rumours: Luiz to Juventus, Dubravka to Celtic, Kamada to Palace

Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer rumours including Douglas Luiz to Juventus, Martin Dubravka to Celtic and Daichi Kamada to Crystal Palace.

Italian giants Juventus are reportedly prepared to offer two players in a proposed swap deal for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.

The 26-year-old elevated his game to new heights during an impressive 2023-24 campaign under manager Unai Emery, contributing with 10 goals and 10 assists in 53 games as Villa secured a top-four finish in the Premier League and reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

Luiz has since been the subject of much interest from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, but Juventus now appear to have stepped up their pursuit of the Brazil international.

According to the Daily Mail, Juve are leading the race for Luiz's signature and are prepared to include both Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior in a proposed swap deal for the £50m-rated midfielder.

American midfielder McKennie, 25, was a first-team regular for Juventus last season and chipped in with 10 assists in 38 games, while London-born winger Iling-Junior, 20, started only four of his 20 Serie A outings, scoring just once.

Lazio's Daichi Kamada celebrates scoring their first goal on May 19, 2024 © Reuters

One Serie A player who looks on course to join a Premier League club is Lazio playmaker Daichi Kamada, who is reportedly edging closer to finalising his move to Crystal Palace.

The 27-year-old will see his Lazio contract expire at the end of this month and negotiations with Lazio over a new deal have collapsed after both parties allegedly failed to reach an agreement over the insertion of a release clause.

Palace have now opened talks with Kamada's entourage and journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that a verbal agreement has been reached between all parties.

Romano has since issued a further update, revealing that Kamada has now completed the first part of his medical and is on the verge of joining the Eagles on a free transfer, penning a two-year deal.

Kamada played 38 times during his one and only season at Lazio in 2023-24 and is set to reunite with manager Oliver Glasner, who he worked with at former club Eintracht Frankfurt between 2021 and 2023.

Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka celebrates after winning the penalty shootout on February 27, 2024 © Reuters

Elsewhere, Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are reportedly considering a move for Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka this summer.

Brendan Rodgers's side are on the lookout for a new number one shot-stopper following the retirement of Joe Hart, who has now hung up his gloves after three years with the Glaswegian giants.

Recent reports have suggested that Celtic are plotting a £10m move for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who is believed to be keen to leave Anfield in search of regular first-team football.

However, according to the Daily Record, Celtic are eyeing a summer swoop for 35-year-old Dubravka, who is facing an uncertain future at Newcastle.

The Slovakia international has just a year remaining on his Newcastle contract and could soon fall further behind in the goalkeeping pecking order, as the Magpies are allegedly in talks to sign Burnley's James Trafford to provide competition for current No.1 Nick Pope.