Couples transfer: Douglas Luiz and Alisha Lehmann join Juventus from Aston Villa
- Douglas Luiz transferred from Aston Villa to Juventus for £42 million in June 2024, influenced by financial regulations.
- Alisha Lehmann, a Swiss international and Luiz's partner, also joined Juventus a week later, making it a rare couples transfer.
- The transfers highlight the intersection of personal relationships and professional careers in sports.
In June 2024, Douglas Luiz left Aston Villa to sign with Juventus in a deal reportedly worth £42 million, which came as a surprise given his significance to Villa's squad. The timing of the transfer was affected by Aston Villa's need to comply with profit and sustainability regulations, which needed to be finalized by the end of the financial year. Just a week later, Alisha Lehmann, a Swiss international and Luiz's partner, also made the move to Juventus. This unusual transaction is known as a 'couples transfer', where both a male and female player transfer from the same club to the same buying side. The transfer allowed Lehmann to be closer to Luiz and provided an opportunity for new beginnings in her career, as she had found herself less integral to Villa's plans despite her tenure with the club, where she scored 14 goals in 74 appearances. Five months after their transfer, Douglas Luiz struggled with injuries, prompting questions about his return to the team for critical matches, such as those in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Lehmann's integration at Juventus has been gradual, having played off the bench in several Serie A matches without yet figuring in key Champions League fixtures. The couples' transfer highlights the intertwining of personal and professional lives in sports, emphasizing the unique connection athletes share both on and off the field.