Fulham tried to sneak in a big late move for former Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo, but Botafogo slammed the door shut.
As revealed by [**Globo Esporte**](https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/botafogo/noticia/2025/09/02/botafogo-recusa-proposta-de-r-191-milhoes-do-fulham-pelo-volante-danilo.ghtml?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=Esporte&utm_campaign=globoEsporte) in Brazil, the Premier League side tabled a €30m (£25.5m) offer on Monday, yet the deal never got off the ground.
What makes the story even stranger is the timing. Danilo had only just arrived in Rio 45 days ago, leaving Nottingham Forest in a club-record €22m (£18.6m) transfer.
Botafogo were never going to flip their record signing that quickly, especially without a ready-made replacement.
The rejection also explains why nothing was said on deadline day – the bid was kept under wraps and only surfaced in the Brazilian press later.
The reasoning from Botafogo was simple: no time to react, particularly after two starting midfielders left them short in depth.
Fulham’s approach is seen locally as tied to [**Andreas Pereira**](https://sportwitness.co.uk/andreas-pereira-lands-in-sao-paulo-fulham-exit-sealed-as-club-confirmed-e10m-deal/)’s sale to Palmeiras, with the Cottagers suddenly short in the middle of the park.
Danilo, though, having made nine appearances for Botafogo with one goal and one assist, stays put for now.