Botafogo midfielder Danilo Santos is the “first option” for Newcastle United if they are forced into finding a replacement for captain Bruno Guimaraes, according to journalist Jorge Nicola.
Chelsea have also been heavily linked with the former Nottingham Forest player, but speaking on his YouTube channel, Nicola clarified that the Magpies are the favourites for his signature:
“Newcastle, I have already told you that they are monitoring Danilo’s situation. If Bruno Guimaraes is sold to Arsenal, Danilo becomes the first option.”
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“The speculation is that Chelsea understood that Danilo would be a good replacement for Andrey Santos, a Brazilian who was recently negotiated with Manchester United.”
“What I can tell you is that Giuliano Bertolucci, Danilo’s manager, was the one who tried to make this thing between Danilo and Chelsea advance, but there is no interest from the English club. I can assure you that if Danilo goes to the Premier League, he will go to another club other than Chelsea.”
Danilo is available for a reasonable fee
It is believed that Botafogo are open to selling the Brazilian international for around €30m (£26m), which is only slightly more than the $25m (£18m) they paid to sign him from Forest last summer.
Danilo’s former club, Palmeiras, are also reportedly keen on signing him, but the player and Botafogo are said to have given priority to a move back to Europe.
Will Newcastle United sell Guimaraes?
At the moment, Eddie Howe’s side are sticking to their guns. They are desperate to keep hold of the Brazilian international despite the fact that he is clearly very interested in making the switch to Arsenal.
A verbal offer worth £55m was rejected for Guimaraes last month, and it has been claimed that the Magpies may only consider bids between £80m and £100m.
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