The agent of reported Arsenal and West Ham United target Danilo has ruled out a January move away from Palmeiras while confirming interest from Premier League strugglers Watford, speaking to Globo Esporte.
After playing a major role in Palmeiras’ second successive Copa Libertadores title last year, the hope was that 20-year-old Danilo would be sticking around until February’s Club World Cup.
Abel Ferreira’s Alviverde are in luck, it seems.
Brazilian publication Esportes reported recently that Arsenal had submitted a £21 million bid.
Mikel Arteta’s oh-so-inconsistent side have been left worryingly short in central midfield of late, thanks to Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ departure and suspensions to Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
Top-four rivals West Ham were reportedly set to make an offer of their own.
But, with Danilo determined to stay at Palmeiras ahead of next months Club World Cup, this is a deal that will have to be placed on the backburner for the time being.
Can Arsenal or West Ham convince Danilo to sign?
“He has evolved a lot in these two years as a professional athlete, with the spectacular work done by (the coaching staff),” explains Thiago Sales.
“Danilo is calm. He tries to listen, focus on his work and we hope he does well in the Club World Cup. He will not leave Palmeiras now. Only speculation, nothing concrete.
“We are very happy and Palmeiras are too.”
Sales does admit that one Premier League club have shown ‘concrete’ interest in his highly-rated client. It is not Arsenal or West Ham, however, but managerless, sinking-like-a-stone Watford.
“Clubs always arrive looking for information,” Sales adds. “The most concrete (interest) was from Watford.”
Danilo, a deep-lying central midfielder never afraid to throw his body on the line, has an £86 million release clause in his contract. When the time comes, Palmeiras will accept a much lower fee for their prized asset.
It remains to be seen whether an offer of £20 million, however, can do the trick.
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