Arsenal lodged a £20 million offer for Danilo, but Palmeiras are reluctant to agree on a sale this summer.
According to Sport Witness via Goal Brasil, Arsenal made an offer worth £20 million for Danilo, as Mikel Arteta could accelerate the signing of a midfielder before the transfer deadline. Palmeiras are reportedly reluctant to accept the bid as they may not sanction a sale this summer.
Arsenal are in the middle of making an important decision in the transfer window, as recent developments may force their hand into the market. Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have been astute with their incoming business, but the Gunners are in a position to make an important decision.
Injuries to crucial midfielders Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny have put Arteta in a fix, which leaves Granit Xhaka and Sambi Lokonga as their only recognised players in the position. The Gunners had an eye for a new player during the summer but have refrained from making any definitive move.
Youri Tielemans was their top target, and Arsenal were expected to make an offer before the window closed. So far, that hasn’t been forthcoming, but the recent injuries to their midfielders could have shifted Arteta’s focus towards a defensive midfield signing.
Palmeiras’ Danilo is their reported target, with the Gunners keeping tabs on the midfielder for some time now. They were linked with a move in January but decided against making any move for first-team players.
As things stand, Arsenal tabled a £20 million bid for Danilo, but Palmeiras are reportedly uninterested in accepting it. The Brazilian side are not keen on a sale this summer, as the midfielder has plenty of time left on his deal, which has a €100 million release clause.
The Brazilian side are aware there’s no way any team would pay that, but Arsenal could push to find a solution. With less time remaining in the window, there may not be ample duration to find another target and complete a move before Thursday’s deadline.
Whether Palmeiras are open to receiving an improved bid remains to be seen, although signing a new defensive midfielder might be Arsenal’s priority now. There were also links to a winger, but that pursuit may have to wait until the next window.
For now, a defensive midfielder is essential, particularly considering Partey’s frequent injuries since signing for Arsenal. Whether they will get their man remains to be seen, but the Gunners could remain active until the clock on the transfer window winds down.