- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Arsenal remain keen on long-term target Danilo but the Nottingham Forest midfielder also has admirers in the Premier League at Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur.
HITC understands that the Brazilian midfielder, who joined Nottingham Forest in an £18 million deal from Palmeiras back in 2023, is still on the radar of a Gunners side who watched him closely on the other side of the Atlantic.
Arsenal, we have been told, held talks with Palmeiras but did not make an offer at the time, Forest instead jumping at the opportunity to bring one of the brightest young talents in Brazilian football over to Europe.
Mikel Arteta’s Premier League challengers have continued to watch Danilo closely, however, and have been impressed by the progress he has made during the last 15 months at the City Ground.
Arsenal are watching Nottingham Forest’s Danilo
The 22-year-old found fitness and form hard to come by on the other side of Christmas but has been far more influential recently. With relegation a very real prospect, however, for a Forest side who lost 2-0 at Everton on Saturday, Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping that Danilo can rediscover his goalscoring knack.
The Bahia-born midfielder scored in three successive top-flight games in April and May last year as Forest secured a second season back in the first division.
“I always tell him, ‘you have to play at Manchester United (or) at Arsenal,” Danilo’s former Palmeiras team-mate Dudu once told ESPN.
“(He can make it) at those clubs. But you have to be calm. You have to have your head in place. He’s a player who marks, who arrives in the attack, who builds play for the offensive midfielders, who helps in defending.
“For me, he is the complete player.”
HITC have been told that Arsenal are prioritising midfield additions this summer with Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe and the out-of-contract Jorginho all facing uncertain futures. There is also interest in Real Sociedad’s Spain international Martin Zubimendi and Aston Villa enforcer Douglas Luiz, although the latter is expected to remain at Unai Emery’s disposal.
Tottenham again eyeing City Ground raid
Danilo, meanwhile, is also on the radar of Manchester United – who may be looking at the Brazilian to replace compatriot Casemiro – as well as Newcastle and Arsenal’s north London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham snapped up Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest last summer and may look to revisit a familiar watering hole, especially with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg unhappy with his lack of game time under Ange Postecoglou.
HITC have been told that Spurs are looking at another Brazilian midfielder who arrived in England back in January 2023; Wolves’ Joao Gomes. There is interest in Feyenoord’s Quinten Timber and Fenerbahce’s Ismail Yuksek too.
Tottenham also scouted Teun Koopmeiners during Atalanta’s 3-0 Europa League win at Liverpool./