HERE WE GO: Arsenal now set to miss out on £88m target, ‘matter of time’ before rivals sign him – Player have already agreed personal terms with the club
Nottingham Forest are reportedly set to sign Palmeiras midfielder and long-term Arsenal target Danilo, with talks currently taking place between the two parties.
According to Brazilian publication Lance, it’s now a ‘matter of time’ before Forest reach an agreement to sign the 21-year-old midfielder, who CalcioMercato have previously reported has a release clause in his Palmeiras contract worth €100m (£88m).
As reported by the Telegraph, though, Forest have already tabled an offer much lower than Danilo’s release clause worth £18m, and there is now an expectation that Steve Cooper’s side will win the race for the South American talent despite strong interest in recent months from Arsenal.
The Gunners are in the market for a central midfielder this month, and according to Goal, Arsenal had an offer rejected by Palmeiras in the summer for Danilo, who now looks set to snub a move to the Premier League leaders for Forest.
Indeed, Arsenal missing out on Danilo will be viewed by many as quite the blow for Mikel Arteta’s side, especially with a club like Forest, who many expect to be relegated this season, the team who are now the most likely to sign the Brazilian talent.
Whilst time is on Arsenal’s side and the club are focusing on a deal for Ukrainian international Mykhailo Mudryk, losing out on Danilo will sting for the Gunners, especially given how ideal the midfielder would be as a long-term replacement for the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
Danilo looked like a safe bet to join Arsenal this month. However, Forest winning the race could throw a hefty spanner into the Gunners’ January plans, with a new midfield option now likely needed if the north London side are to strengthen in the position.
After all, Danilo could have been Edu Gaspar’s next great signing from Brazil after the successes of Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos. Yet with Forest pulling well away in the lead for the midfielder, a new plan is needed for Arsenal before the closure of the window.
