Arsenal are keen on signing Brazilian midfielder Danilo in January, with Mikel Arteta having the backing for another spending spree in January.
According to The Sun, Arsenal want to bring Danilo from Palmeiras in January to bolster their midfield. The Brazilian midfielder may be available in the next window, and the Gunners will likely back Mikel Arteta with significant funds in January.
Few expected Arsenal to be at the top of the Premier League table after 11 fixtures. Mikel Arteta has steered his side to the summit after a more than impressive start to the season. The Gunners have won nine of their opening 11 games, losing only to Manchester United away from home.
Key to that is the form of players the manager has trusted weekly. Yet, Arteta is managing proceedings with a thin squad. Luckily, he had not had to make many changes to his preferred starting lineup since the start of the season.
Only the left-back position has seen massive changes in personnel, owing to Oleksandr Zinchenko’s injury-ravaged start. And Arteta’s concern is not the full-back position but central midfield. Thomas Partey’s fitness issues speaks volumes, and the manager would like it addressed in January.
Partey remains one of the important cogs to the team, and losing him to injuries has cost Arsenal in the past. Last season’s failed bid to finish in the top four could have been due to the Ghanaian international’s absence in the latter stages.
Arsenal were keen on signing Douglas Luiz on deadline day and saw at least two bids turned down for the Brazilian international. While the Gunners planned to revisit the target in January, they have since scrapped those plans after the Brazilian midfielder signed a new contract with Aston Villa.
Arteta is thus ready to switch attention toward Danilo, who Arsenal pursued in the summer. The Brazilian midfielder was also a target last January, only to see Palmeiras turn down approaches. They might be willing to cash in now, with the Gunners reportedly preparing a £26 million offer.
Danilo has been a massive presence for Palmeiras this season, playing 52 games so far. Their campaign will end shortly before the World Cup begins, meaning a January move would make sense. The 21-year-old will add a massive presence in midfield for the Gunners and aid a probable title push under Arteta.
Whether Arsenal can prise him away and convince Palmeiras over a £26 million sale remains in question. The report suggests the Gunners are optimistic about the chase. Danilo will be a brilliant addition to this team, which has recently boasted a strong Brazilian contingent.
