According to The Telegraph, Nottingham Forest have launched an £18m bid for Palmeiras midfielder Danilo.
This comes as something of a shock as it had looked as though the Brazilian was set for a move to Arsenal.
Indeed, the Gunners had recently been named as the favourites in the race for the midfielder who says he bases his game on N’Golo Kante, with Charles Watts claiming that a lot of groundwork had been done on a deal to bring the youngster to the Emirates.
However, just as they were in the summer, Nottingham Forest are proving to be the Premier League’s great disruptors in the transfer market, and this bid could scupper Arsenal’s plans.
Forest have already signed Gustavo Scarpa from Palmeiras in this transfer window, and now, they could unite Scarpa with one of his former teammates.
Of course, a bid from Forest doesn’t necessarily mean that a move to Arsenal isn’t still on the cards.
To say that the Emirates is a more alluring destination than the City Ground at the moment would be something of an understatement. Arsenal are flying high at the top of the Premier League right now, while Forest are trying their best to stave off the very real threat of relegation.
However, Forest can offer a competitive salary and guaranteed first-team football at Premier League level, and that may be the thing that turns the tide in this transfer tussle.
Let’s not forget, Danilo’s career is only just getting started. He’s 21 years old and has never played in Europe – going straight to Arsenal would represent a jump straight into the deep-end, and sometimes, a player can be chewed up and spat out when they try to make such a massive leap.
Forest have made their first bid for this player, whether Arsenal respond with an offer of their own remains to be seen.
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