Fabrizio Romano issues blow on Arsenal’s chase for £26m wonderkid

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Fabrizio Romano has stated that Arsenal are not in talks to sign Brazilian wonderkid Danilo despite reports this week that discussions were taking place ahead of the January transfer window.

Speaking to CaughtOffside, the transfer guru revealed that talks are currently not going on between the Gunners and Palmeiras over the 21-year-old, who has been linked with Arsenal for quite some time as reports from the Sun emerged this week that a £26m bid was in the works.

With a release clause of £86m, Arsenal are trying their luck in January to sign the South American talent, with midfield a position Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen in the window as the north London side look to maintain their unlikely bid for the Premier League title.

Although Mohamed Elneny is set to return to first-team action in January and Martin Odegaard not competing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, midfield could be greatly bolstered in the winter window even without any new signings being made. However, Danilo’s arrival would be most welcomed.

Regarded by many as one of the best midfielders in Brazil and a key reason behind Palmeiras’ winning back-to-back Copa Libertadores, Danilo could make quite the impact in Europe if the youngster is to make the move in January. Yet according to Romano, Arsenal are not in talks for the 21-year-old.

Romano said when asked if Arsenal are close to signing Danilo ahead of the January transfer window: “Danilo is one of the players Arsenal have been following for a long time, he was also discussed internally last summer but at the moment there are no talks ongoing.”

Arsenal have got to make Danilo signing a priority

Midfield is a position Arsenal should have, arguably, strengthened in the summer. However, given the Gunners’ incredible run in the league this season, it can be forgiven that such a move wasn’t made. But, the same mistake can’t be made in January, with Danilo a must for the north London side.

Indeed, the youngster first Arteta and Edu Gaspar’s transfer policy to a tee, and with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey entering the peaks of their careers, Danilo could be an ideal long-term replacement for the duo if the Gunners can get a deal over the line in the coming weeks.