Arsenal are reportedly considering a summer move to sign Real Madrid defender Danilo in the summer.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Arsene Wenger has set his sights on Danilo and is interested in signing the Brazilian right-back from Real Madrid as a possible summer replacement for Hector Bellerin.
Danilo arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu with a burgeoning reputation of being one of the most promising young right-backs in Europe. Many even hailed the defender as the ‘next Dani Alves’, but the player has failed to capture the imagination at Santiago Bernabeu.
The numbers tell a glaring tale as Danilo has managed to start just 39 games in La Liga over the last two seasons. And while he has been exciting with his bursts into the final third, the 25-year-old has often been unimpressive in his primary duty – defending.
Having failed to live up to his billing so far, speculation has been rife that Danilo could be on his way out of the Spanish capital this summer. Should that be the case, Arsenal is reportedly one of the clubs that have shown an interest in the player.
The Gunners are in a precarious situation as far as the right side of defence is concerned, with Hector Bellerin being heavily linked with a summer exit from the Emirates. Barcelona are leading the race, and it is looking increasingly likely that the Spaniard will rejoin his former club in the summer.
Hence, Arsene Wenger is believed to be identifying possible replacements for Bellerin, and his search has now led him to Danilo. The Arsenal boss has recently experimented with a new system at the Emirates that employs wing-backs in addition to a three-man central defence.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been favoured for this position ahead of Bellerin, is also being linked with a summer move away from Arsenal, meaning Wenger could be left with no recognised options at the said position for next season.
Danilo’s abilities make him a perfect fit in this system, as his abilities and defensive shortcomings make him more adept at playing as a wing-back than a traditional full-back.
The report suggests that Real Madrid are willing to do business for €20 million, as they know that they won’t be able to recoup the amount they forked out to acquire Danilo’s services last season.
It now remains to be seen if Arsenal are happy with that amount. If so, we could well see Danilo at the Emirates next season.
