Premier League leaders Arsenal are viewed as the favourites to sign the £26 million-rated Palmeiras midfielder Danilo in January despite interest from Monaco and Ajax, according to Brazilian publication IG Esporte.
A couple of months ago, Albert Sambi Lokonga indicated that some difficult decisions may need to be made regarding his future at the Emirates Stadium as long as the Belgian remains a back-up option under Mikel Arteta.
And the potential arrival of Danilo will hardly quell Lokonga’s fears.
A deep-lying, defensively-minded central midfield player who idolises Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, Danilo admitted recently that he feels ‘ready’ for a big-money move across the Atlantic after winning six trophies in just three years at Palmeiras.
Arsenal could beat Monaco and Ajax to Palmeiras midfielder Danilo
“I see myself as mature enough to play in any competition in the world. I’m ready,” Danilo tells UOL Esporte. “I give myself a 10/10. Palmeiras’ year was a 10, and so was mine. It was a wonderful year.”
Arsenal, per The Sun, believe £26 million could be enough to lure Danilo away from the Allianz Parque. Monaco and Ajax – two clubs with a fine track record when it comes to unearthing diamonds in the rough – are also in the race. But it is Arsenal sitting pretty in pole position.
The London giants, IG Esporte add, are currently the ‘main candidates’ to secure Danilo’s sought-after signature.
The all-action 21-year-old, who won the Bronze Ball during the 2022 World Club Cup and was a target for Watford in a previous window, will provide competition for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in Arsenal’s midfield.
Lokonga, currently the club’s third choice option, has started just two Premier League games in 2022/23. The former Anderlecht youngster has struggled to exert any sort of influence in cup competitions either, out-muscled by Brighton during Arsenal’s recent 3-1 defeat to Roberto de Zerbi’s side in the EFL Cup.
And the signing of Danilo might just signal the beginning of the end for Lokonga in North London.
“Honestly, it’s difficult,” Lokonga tells HLN. “(But) I’m at one of the best clubs in England. I could have played somewhere else every weekend, but that wouldn’t have been the right solution for me.
“I develop better with 20 minutes of playing time at Arsenal than always playing elsewhere”
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