Palmeiras know that they are unlikely to keep Danilo beyond the summer transfer window with Premier League trio Arsenal, West Ham United and Watford keen on the midfielder, as reported by UOL Esporte.
It wasn’t the trophy Danilo wanted. But at least he had a souvenir to remember his involvement in the Club World Cup by.
Taking to the stage to collect his Bronze Ball award for the ‘third best player’ in the competition, Palmeiras’ tough-tackling wonderkid might not have conquered the globe on Saturday night – Kai Havertz’s extra-time penalty put pay to that – but at least the quality of his performances received the attention they deserved.
Ahead of Palmeiras’ 2-1 defeat to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, Danilo admitted that he models his game on none other than N’Golo Kante.
And the 20-year-old certainly held his own against arguably the greatest defensive midfielder of his generation. Going toe-to-toe with the irrepressible Kante and emerging with his reputation greatly enhanced.
According to UOL, some at Palmeiras fear that retaining Danilo’s services beyond this summer may be nigh-on impossible.
Is Danilo the new N’Golo Kante?
West Ham have made an approach (Lance). Esportes claim that Arsenal put forward a bid of their own during the January transfer window.
And Danilo’s agent even admitted that a Watford side who snapped up a 20-year-old Richarlison back in 2017 had their sights firmly fixed on another Samba starlet.
Danilo has an £86 million release clause in his contract.
UOL, however, believe that Palmeiras may be willing to listen to offers in the region of just £13 million. If Danilo can emulate the impact a young Richarlison made in English football, then that will be money very well spent indeed.
“He has evolved a lot in these two years,” explains Thiago Sales, Danilo’s agent. “(Thanks to) the spectacular work done by (the coaching staff),”
“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 (in January).
“Clubs always arrive looking for information. The most concrete (interest) was from Watford.”
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