A major update has emerged as Arsenal reportedly set their sights on Palmeiras midfielder Danilo.
THE LOWDOWN: BOLSTER MIDFIELD
With uncertainty surrounding the Gunners’ current crop of midfielders, there is certainly scope to bolster their options ahead of next season.
Mohamed Elneny’s contract expires in summer, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ future is uncertain. The Hale End graduate is on loan at Roma and appears surplus to Mikel Arteta’s requirements.
Also, Lucas Torreira who is currently on loan at Italian outfit Fiorentina looks set to leave the Emirates on a permanent deal at the end of the campaign, while Granit Xhaka’s future at the club is also still unknown.
It will certainly be wise of Arteta to look at strengthening their options this summer.
Club director Edu Gaspar has extensive knowledge of the Brazilian market, and already has his sights on a future midfield star.
THE LATEST: GUNNERS SET SIGHTS
According to Italian outlet Radiosei, via La Lazio Siamo Noi, the north London outfit have reportedly “set their sights” on Palmeiras’ Brazilian starlet Danilo.
The report states that Italian club Lazio has the Brazil youth international on their wishlist.
Danilo has the same representative as Lucas Leiva who plays for the Serie A outfit.
The report also goes on to claim that the agent’s “goal is to bring him to play in Europe”.
As well as Lazio, Arsenal are eyeing Danilo, who reportedly boasts a €20m (£17m) price tag, added the report.
THE VERDICT: FUTURE MIDFIELD STAR
Watching the £19.8m-rated wonderkid strut his stuff, it is difficult to believe that he is still a week shy of his 21st birthday, nor that less than two years ago he was plugging away in the lower depths of Brazilian state football.
The 20-year-old has rapidly earmarked himself as one of the biggest footballing talents to originate out of South America, putting in some showstopping performances playing in all but two of the Verdão’s 2020 Libertadores games as the club lifted its first title in the competition since 1999.
And while the club fell just short in the Club World Cup against Chelsea, the youngster left a glowing impression individually, beating global superstars N’Golo Kante and Jorginho to be named the tournament’s best midfielder.
Earlier this month, Dudu – Danilo’s teammate – urged him to join a club like Arsenal in the near future.
“He is a star, he has to play in the Premier League,” Danilo’s teammate Dudu told ESPN, via Goal.com. “I always tell him: ‘You have to play in Manchester United, or Arsenal.”
Dudu went on to say: “He scores, he gets in the area, he helps with marking. He’s a complete midfielder in Brazilian football.”
With the Gunners reportedly looking to bolster their midfield options this summer, they can do no wrong acquiring the services of one of South America’s future stars.
AND in other Arsenal news, a certain Gunners icon says £36m-rated midfield star needs to “bounce back” after Palace disasterclass…
