Arsenal and West Ham United are among the clubs prepared to pay significant money for Palmeiras midfielder Danilo in the current window.
According to Brazilian publication Lance, Premier League sides Arsenal and West Ham United are prepared to make a €25 million offer for Palmeiras’ defensive midfielder Danilo. The Brazilian side are showing reluctance to sanction a sale, although a reasonable offer could turn their heads.
Both Arsenal and West Ham United are keen on signing midfield reinforcements in the current window. For the Gunners, the African Cup of Nations has caused havoc, with two of their midfield options missing from action, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles has left for AS Roma on a loan deal.
Albert Sambi Lokonga and Granit Xhaka remain their only two senior players in the central midfield position, with the Belgian having only played a handful of games. Even without their AFCON absentees, Mikel Arteta has been looking for a midfielder who could take up a defensive role in the squad, something they do not have currently.
AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria have been mooted as possible candidates, although Danilo from Palmeiras seems to be very much on the agenda for the north London club. The Gunners reportedly made a €20 million offer for the 20-year-old defensive midfielder, although nothing came of it.
There is a growing Brazilian contingent within the Gunners squad, with defender Gabriel and attacker Gabriel Martinelli looking settled. There are also whispers of a move for midfielder Arthur Melo in the next few days from Juventus, which will only increase the number of players from the country.
Meanwhile, West Ham are looking at young recruits to join their side as David Moyes aims to build a squad competitive enough for the next few seasons. While the Hammers could lose some of their existing stars to bigger clubs, the manager wants to have players ready to take over in the eventuality of departures.
Declan Rice continues to be linked with an exit, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City expected to make offers for the England international. Hence, Moyes wants a player to replace the midfielder in case they are forced to lose the England international.
Danilo is primed to move away from Brazil and a transfer to the Premier League could very well be on the horizon. The Hammers, along with Arsenal, are prepared to make an offer worth €25 million for the defensive midfielder. However, with the Club World Cup scheduled for February, Palmeiras are keen for Danilo to be a part of it.
Arsenal are even prepared to add another €5 million in bonuses, which could tempt the Brazilian club to accept the offer. It remains to be seen if the Brazilian starlet moves to either Arsenal or West Ham in the coming weeks.
