Juventus are reportedly inching closer to securing a deal for Real Madrid defender Danilo, having drafted a contract offer for the player.
Italian publication Calciomercato have reported that Juventus continue to remain in talks with Real Madrid over a move for Danilo in the summer transfer window. The Italian champions have prepared their initial contract offer for the Brazilian defender and are working with Los Blancos to agree a transfer fee.
Danilo arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2015 from Porto with a burgeoning reputation of being one of the most promising talents in Europe, with many in his homeland even hailing the player as the “next Dani Alves”.
Los Blancos reportedly shelled out €31.5 million to acquire the 25-year-old, but the player has failed to live up to his billing thus far at the Santiago Bernabeu. Largely playing second fiddle to Dani Carvajal, Danilo has been restricted to a bit part role, managing to start a mere 40 games in the last two seasons.
Juventus have eyed Real Madrid right-back Danilo as a replacement for Dani Alves. pic.twitter.com/i5EzMp8VL2
— Chidiebere Anugwolu (@chidi_maestro) June 29, 2017
With Carvajal going strong on the right side of the Real Madrid defence, Danilo is likely to be on his way out of Bernabeu this summer. Despite not justifying his enormous price tag, though, the Brazilian defender continues to remain a man in demand, with Juventus, in particular, keen on signing him.
Right-back has emerged as a major concern area for Massimiliano Allegri following the confirmation of the departure of Dani Alves, who is being heavily linked to a move to the Premier League. With Alves leaving the club, the Juventus boss now has Stephan Lichtsteiner as his only recognised option at right-back.
However, with the veteran Swiss defender reduced to a squad role in the recently concluded season, Allegri has been forced to prioritise the addition of a right-back this summer. And thus, Danilo could be set to succeed Dani Alves at Juventus, having been famously hailed as the ‘next Alves’ earlier in his career.
While the player has been largely unimpressive in the last two seasons, the defensively impressionable Allegri can potentially mould him into a solid defender. Add to that his undoubted qualities on the ball, and Danilo can certainly become an asset for the Bianconeri.
Hence, Juventus have made their move for him, with a four-year deal worth €4.5 million a year on the player’s table. The report suggests that transfer fee is all that is left to agree on, with Real Madrid holding out for €30 million. It now remains to be seen if the Italian champions shell out the aforementioned sum to complete the move for Danilo.
