‘Haven’t had any’: President says no Arsenal offers for £26m star

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Palmeiras have not received any offers from Premier League leaders Arsenal for highly-rated Brazilian midfielder Danilo, president Leila Perreira tells Globo Esporte. 

The 21-year-old recently admitted that he felt ‘ready’ for a big-money move across the Atlantic. Whether his suitors tend to agree, however, only time will tell. 

Despite incessant speculation, The Athletic believe that Danilo is not currently a leading target for a Gunners side sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table.  

That certainly wasn’t the case over the summer, however; Arsenal expert Charles Watts explaining via his YouTube channel that the London giants were ‘looking at him very strongly’ in the off-season, seeing a bid worth a reported £22 million rejected by Palmeiras. 

Why Arsenal seem to be cooling their interest is anyone’s guess. Perhaps they have reservations about Danilo’s claim that he’s ‘ready’ for a major European league. Or maybe the Gunners are simply investing elsewhere, with leading target Mkyhaylo Mudryk expected to eat up a sizeable portion of their January budget. 

Either way, Palmeiras chief Pereira insists that no offers have arrived in the build up to the winter window. 

Will Arsenal sign Danilo from Palmeiras?

“(Danilo) is a very important player for our squad,” she says. “Up to this moment, we have not received any queries from teams abroad.

“We are always attentive to the queries and wishes of the player. So far, we haven’t had any consultations. If we do, we’ll analyse what’s best for Palmeiras and the player.”

Danilo, a deep-lying defensive midfielder who models his game on France’s World Cup winner N’Golo Kante, is reportedly valued at around £26 million by a Palmeiras side who won South America’s equivalent of the Champions League – the Copa Libertadores – this time last year (The Sun). 

Danilo did admit back in November, meanwhile, that reports suggesting he was close to joining Arsenal were wide of the mark. 

“About going abroad, there is still nothing,” the 21-year-old explained. “As I have always said, I leave it to my agents (to sort out). I’m still focusing on Palmeiras.”  

Danilo is reportedly a target for Monaco and Eredivisie champions Ajax heading into 2023. Watford showed an interest in a previous window, according to the youngster’s agent.

“He has evolved a lot as a professional athlete, with the spectacular work done by (the coaching staff),” Thiago Sales said last year.

“Danilo is calm. He tries to listen, focus on his work. We are very happy and Palmeiras are too. Clubs always arrive looking for information. The most concrete (interest) was from Watford.”