Soccer Football - Copa Libertadores - Quarter Finals - First Leg - Atletico Mineiro v Palmeiras - Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil - August 3, 2022 Atletico Mineiro's Mariano in action with Palmeiras' Danilo REUTERS/Washington Alves
Arsenal have begun their move for Palmeiras youngster Danilo, and there are even reports in the player’s homeland about a possible bid.
The lowdown: Rising star
Signed permanently from fellow Brazilian outfit PFC Cajazeiras in 2020 following a successful loan spell in the academy ranks, Danilo has continued to go from strength to strength in the senior set-up.
The 21-year-old defensive midfielder has already amassed 128 first-team outings despite his tender years and was called up to the senior Brazil squad by Tite earlier this year.
Now, following injury blows to both Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey, the Gunners are seemingly eyeing up a move for Danilo to strengthen the midfield department at the Emirates Stadium…
The latest: Approach made
According to South American source Callum Williams, a reporter and commentator for the Copa Libertadores, the Gunners have ‘sped up’ their move for Danilo due to Elneny’s injury.
“I’m told this morning that #Arsenal have once again inquired about #Palmeiras midfielder Danilo. Ferreira, Pereira and co thought to be asking around $25m. Process sped up due to injury to Elneny.”
Goal Brazil have added their own claims to the news, believing Arsenal have actually submitted an official bid to sign the talented sensation.
It’s claimed that the north Londoners have ‘submitted a proposal’ of £20million to sign Danilo, which does seem to coincide with the fee Williams is hearing.
The report states that the ‘tendency’ from Palmeiras is to reject the offer for the starlet, who was actually tipped to be a ‘long term Xhaka replacement’ by popular Arsenal writer Tim Stillman.
The verdict: Break the bank
Linked with a move for Leicester City star Youri Tielemans, it seems Edu and Arteta will attempt to add a midfielder to the ranks before the September 1 deadline, and Danilo looks like an exciting and younger alternative.
During 2021/22, he has scored seven times and provided three assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, showcasing attacking ability and durability that would be pivotal to Arteta’s ranks.
Within that Brasileiro Serie A campaign, the exciting prodigy won 4.1 duels and 2.2 tackles per game (Sofascore) – those numbers are indeed comparable with the likes of Partey, Elneny and Xhaka.
Holding an estimated value of £22.5million and under contract until 2026 (Transfermarkt), Danilo’s market value has tripled since last summer, and Arsenal would be wise to make sure they are the main beneficiaries of his upwards trajectory.
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