OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Douglas Costa joins Bayern Munich on loan

Throughout the coaching change and the subsequent financial crunch that Juventus has found themselves in during the summer transfer window, Douglas Costa has been a name that has been linked with a move away from Turin. It didn’t matter if it was an outright sale or a loan somewhere, he was never believed to truly be in Juventus’ plans regardless of who was calling to shot.

That notion started months ago.

And it’s even more the truth now.

Costa, the oft-injured yet always-talented Brazilian winger, has made a surprising return to the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich. On the final day of the 2020 summer transfer window, the 29-year-old Costa joined the German giants and reigning European champions on a season-long loan, it was announced on Monday, after spending the last three seasons with Juventus.

From Juventus’ official website:

After three years, and with as many Scudetti, an Italian Cup and an Italian Super Cup, Douglas Costa and Juventus will go their separate ways. The Brazilian will spend this season on loan to Bayern Munich.

The Brazilian champion arrived in Turin in 2017, where he immediately conquered everyone with his fascinating skills which made him famous around the world: from his pace and lightning footwork, to his ability to literally decide games.

[...]

Now it’s time to say goodbye: thank you, “Flash”, in fact, obrigado!

A lot like the loan deals that have seen Daniele Rugani go to Rennes and Mattia De Sciglio join Lyon, Costa’s announcement is worded very much like a departure for good rather than something like they’ll see you later. Costa’s contract with Juventus, one that he signed when he made his move from Bayern Munich permanent in the summer of 2018, runs through 2022.

Costa’s Juventus career will be remembered for what he wasn’t able to do because of injuries almost as much — or maybe more in some cases — the electric impact he made on some games. That was especially true the last two seasons when muscle injuries dominated his timeline. He just couldn’t stay healthy, and that prevented him from both not being able to find some kind of form as well as simply make himself available to Juventus’ manager at the time for long periods of time.

Even with all of that, Costa still scored some of the best goals Juventus had over the last three seasons. He still had the ability to make those weaving and electric runs and make opposing defenses pay dearly.

But it was the injuries that proved to be his ultimate downfall. He was never truly able to replicate the impact he made during his first season in Turin when he recorded a team-high 12 assists and was easily one of the best players in Serie A.