Journalist Pete O’Rourke has said that Arsenal are still ‘very keen’ on bringing Brazilian midfielder Danilo to the club.
According to journalist Jorge Nicola via Sport Witness, the Gunners made a last-ditch attempt to bring the Palmeiras gem to the club in the summer.
It is thought that the north London club had a £22m rejected on deadline day although it is now believed that his current employers would be willing to accept a similar fee this winter.
Mikel Arteta is reportedly looking to bring in another centre-midfielder when the market reopens and O’Rourke has said that a deal for the 21-year-old could be revisited.
Speaking to This Is Futbol he said: “I think this one as we said they tried to sign him in the summer, couldn’t agree a deal with Palmeiras so I’m sure discussions were still going on between the two clubs ever since the window closed.
“He’s still a long-term target for Arsenal. They are very keen to bring him to the Emirates.”
TIF Thoughts on Danilo and Arsenal…
Will Arsenal sign Danilo this winter?
Yes
No
Currently, Arteta has the options of playing Thomas Partey, Albert Sambi-Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny at the base of his midfield three while Granit Xhaka, who has thrived in a no.8 role, can also operate in a deeper position.
Injecting the youth and exuberance of a Brazilian youngster could be just what the north London side need in the second half of the season as minutes in the legs begin to take their toll.
Despite his tender age, Danilo has already made 141 senior appearances and is a two-time Copa Libertadores winner.
There would still be question marks over his ability to adapt to the European game and indeed the Premier League but given Gabriel Martinelli‘s startling form following a similar pathway this could be a deal that Edu chooses to get done in January.