‘There is nothing’: £26m ace insists he is not close to sealing Arsenal move

Follow us on Google Discover

Palmeiras midfielder Danilo has played down the prospect of a £26 million move to Premier League leaders Arsenal, telling Band Sports that he is not yet in talks ahead of a switch to Europe. 

The Brazilian giants have already lost one of their Copa Libertadores-winning heroes to the bright lights of English football in recent weeks. Gustavo Scarpa, the one-man assist-machine with a ‘wand of a left foot’, will join Nottingham Forest on a free transfer early in 2023. 

And highly-rated defensive midfielder Danilo is being heavily tipped to follow in Scarpa’s footsteps; Arsenal still big fans of a player they offered £20 million for without success during the summer (Goal). 

According to The Sun, the London giants believe an improved £26 million bid can convince Palmeiras to cash in. But Danilo, who models his game on N’Golo Kante and averages similar defensive numbers to that of Thomas Partey (WhoScored), insists that nothing is on the cards or close to completion just yet. 

Will Palmeiras midfielder Danilo end up at Arsenal?

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

Danilo has won an impressive five trophies since breaking into the first-team picture a couple of years ago. He also picked up the Bronze Ball award, given to the third-best player at the Club World Cup. Palmeiras lost in the final to Chelsea in February. 

“He has to play in the Premier League,” says Allianz Parque team-mate Dudu. “I always tell him: ‘You have to play for Manchester United, for Arsenal’.  

Danilo, who’s agent confirmed interest from Watford in a previous transfer window, would give Arteta some much-needed cover in the centre of the park. Arsenal’s back-up options falling some way short of the sky-high standards set by Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey. 

Albert Sambi Lokonga looked out of sorts again during Wednesday’s 3-1 home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup. The Belgian benchwarmer has not been afraid to make his frustartions known over a lack of game time either.

Arsenal are also eyeing a new winger in January. Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk is a target, alongside Jesper Lindstrom and Facundo Torres of Orlando City.