Arsenal have made a bid in their hunt for a new midfielder, one worth £16.75million + up to £4.2million in bonuses, according to reports from Brazilian sources, including esportes.
That bid is to try and sign 20-year-old Palmeiras midfielder, Danilo dos Santos. Palmeiras are one of the best clubs in South America and Danilo is a regular starter for them.
His adaptation to the Premier League would of course require patience, but in Gabriel Martinelli, the Gunners have already seen the potential successes of shopping in that market. Edu Gaspar’s links in Brazil are likely to help in negotiations.
The same report however suggests that Palmeiras do not want to sell Danilo in January, and with a contract in place until 2025, they are under no pressure to do so.
Danilo is a defensive midfielder with very strong passing and interception stats. Crucially he’s also left-footed, even when all of the clubs midfielders are available, Granit Xhaka is the only left-footer. Over the next few weeks though, Arsenal are very short in central midfield, with Partey and Elneny at the African Cup of Nations, only Sambi Lokonga and Xhaka are available for selection.
Reliable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Arsenal are looking to address this and sign a midfielder this month, with three names said to be on the Gunners wishlist.
He doesn’t name Danilo, but Arsenal’s confirmed desire to sign someone in this position, coupled with these reports from Brazil, add weight to the links.
When you consider Edu Gaspar’s relationship with Brazilian clubs and agents, as well as the fact that Edu’s friend, Kia, is connected to Danilo’s entourage, this deal starts to add up.
Palmeiras of course don’t want to sell, but money talks and should Arsenal bid enough, I’m sure there will be a point where they’d be willing to accept.