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David Tully Jul 27th 2026
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Botafogo midfielder Danilo Santos has been “offered to Man Utd”, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said the Red Devils have NOT instigated the interest:
“Danilo from Brazil is a player who has been offered to Man Utd. It’s not a negotiation started from Man Utd.”
Romano’s information contradicts a report by the BBC, who claimed a few days ago that Michael Carrick’s side and Newcastle had “expressed an interest” in the former Nottingham Forest player.
Danilo is on the market
After struggling to make an impact during his 18-month spell with Forest, the midfielder returned to Brazil in a deal worth $25m last summer.
Danilo performed so well for Botafogo that Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti gave him his first cap against France in a friendly back in March.
The midfielder also made the squad for the World Cup, and he made four substitute appearances at the tournament, including in the round of 16 where his country were knocked out by Norway.
Danilo is said to be keen on returning to Europe for a second time, but reports in Brazil suggest Botafogo will only sanction his sale for €40m (£34m).
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Who could Man Utd sign instead?
Romano says that United have shown greater interest in Roma’s Manu Kone, having reached out to the representatives of the France international.
They have also explored the possibility of signing two of Kone’s fellow countrymen, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, but both players are said to be keen on staying at Real Madrid.
David Tully
David Tully
David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for the Football News Network.