Newcastle United have identified Botafogo midfielder Danilo as a potential replacement for Bruno Guimaraes, who continues to be linked with Arsenal, according to O Globo.
Danilo has impressed for the Brazilian giants over the past 12 months since leaving Nottingham Forest last summer. His performances in South America have prompted interest from the likes of Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester United, as he eyes an unlikely return to English football.
Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Botafogo over the possibility of signing the player, while United have held club-to-club talks about a prospective deal.
The Magpies have now emerged as contenders for his signature, as they look to rebuild their midfield following the departure of Sandro Tonali and the potential departure of Guimaraes.
Newcastle make Danilo enquiry
Danilo SantosREUTERS/Marco Bello
Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur in an eye-catching £100million deal earlier this month, while Guimaraes is the subject of interest from Arsenal. It remains to be seen whether the Gunners will seal a deal for the Brazilian, although Newcastle appear to be planning for life without their captain.
O Globo report that Danilo has been identified by the Magpies' recruitment team as a possible replacement for Guimaraes. If a deal for the 28-year-old goes through, and he swaps the north-east for North London, then the Tynesiders may opt to actively pursue the 25-year-old Botafogo man.
After breaking through at Palmeiras, Danilo joined Forest in January 2023. He spent two-and-a-half years in the East Midlands, impressing in the process, before choosing to return to his home nation after an extended spell out with a broken leg.
Now, the energetic midfielder is ready for a return to the English top flight. While Newcastle have enquired about Danilo's availability, they are yet to present a formal offer to Botafogo.
It's likely that the Magpies are waiting to see how the Guimaraes saga plays out before making a move on the ex-Forest star.
However, if they do want to land the player, then they might need to accelerate negotiations, as Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg have reportedly made concrete advances on a potential deal for him.
Danilo signing a huge risk for Newcastle
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes celebrates vs Crystal Palacevia Reuters
Newcastle are seemingly going down the route of acquiring young players with great potential when replacing their outgoing stars. Johan Manzambi is a target, while the likes of Banzoumana Toure and Sean Steur have already arrived on Tyneside.
While Danilo is more experienced than some of these aforementioned names, he is of the same ilk. He has limited experience at the top level and comes with a lot of unknowns given his unusual career path.
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Guimaraes has been a talismanic figure for the Magpies, leading them across every area of the pitch. Signing Danilo to replace this level of influence is a big ask, and comes with inherent risk.
Eddie Howe will need to hope his recruitment department are confident with their choices.
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