Arsenal’s primary summer transfer target, as reported by various outlets, is Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian has a release clause of £45 million (Telegraph) which might prove to be a stumbling block for the Gunners due to the current financial climate.
As a result, Arsenal have reportedly linked up an alternative if they cannot get Partey this summer. ESPN claimed last week that Arsenal were interested in Porto’s Danilo Pereira.
The report claimed that the Portuguese powerhouse would be available for just £18 million, something that should be affordable for the Gunners despite their financial problems.
Former Liverpool and Everton defender Abel Xavier spoke to Goal about Danilo amid Arsenal’s reported interest, and he compared the Portuguese international to certain Gunners legend.
He said: “Danilo, I think, is a great midfield player who gives a lot of balance in the team. He plays very simple football and his physical presence is important on the field.”
“When I look back, he’s a kind of player like Patrick Vieira when we’re talking about a physical presence.”
“I think if Arsenal are interested in him, for their style of play at this present moment – A team trying to use forward-thinking players who are always very positive, it’s very important to have balanced players and Danilo is that kind of a player.”
Danilo has Vieira’s physical traits but their roles are completely different
Danilo clearly has the dominating stature that Vieira did but the Portuguese international is a lot more defensive than the former Gunners skipper was.
The Porto skipper is someone who shields the backline and he is exactly the kind of player that Arsenal could do with at the moment.
However, it seems pretty clear that Arsenal will do everything they can to get Thomas Partey and they will only consider Danilo if their preferred move fails this summer.
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