Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Palmeiras midfielder Danilo ahead of the January transfer window.
After investing heavily in recent transfer windows in retooling the squad under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners could go again in January. With the north London giants enjoying an excellent start to the season and sitting pretty at the summit of the Premier League, the club’s board will be committed to back Arteta in the upcoming window.
According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Arsenal sent scouts to watch Palmeiras midfielder Danilo in action against Athletico Paranaense. While Palmeiras ended up winning 3-1, it didn’t go according to how the young Brazilian or the Arsenal scouts would have planned, as the defensive midfielder was substituted at half-time.
Danilo, 21, has been a key player in Palmeiras’ squad since breaking into the senior team in 2020. He has made 137 appearances for the Brazilian club, scoring 12 goals, and his performances in the Palmeiras shirt have seen him being called up to the national team earlier this year.
Although Danilo is yet to win a cap for Brazil, there is no shortage of suitors for the youngster with Arsenal being one of them.
Danilo to Arsenal—Can he strengthen their midfield unit?
Signing a central midfielder appears to be at the top of Arsenal’s shopping list when the transfer window reopens in January.
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have forged an excellent understanding between them in the middle of the park, and the duo’s consistent displays have been a big part of Arsenal’s successful start to the season. But beyond Xhaka and Partey, the Gunners do lack quality options, with Albert Sambi Lokonga yet to fully convince Mikel Arteta while Mohamed Elneny remains sidelined with a long-term injury.
The lack of quality depth in midfield may hurt Arsenal going forward, and if they remain in the title race, Arteta must persuade the board to spend in the winter transfer window. Danilo, in that regard, won’t be a world-class option for the Gunners to consider but he could be moulded into one over time.
Danilo, the highly-rated Palmeiras talent, has the ability to sit just in front of the defence, absorb the pressure from the opposition and calmly keep things ticking in midfield. The 21-year-old also has the instinct to score goals when the opportunity presents itself, as evidenced by his 12 strikes for Palmeiras so far.
Danilo may need time to settle down and adjust to the rigours of Premier League football, but with time, experience and the right coaching, he may represent a solid long-term investment for Arsenal. Having tapped the South American market in recent years and signed talents like Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos, the Gunners could unearth a gem in Danilo.
And given the rhythm and flow Xhaka and Partey are in, it is unlikely that the promising Brazilian will be thrown into the deep end unless there is a massive injury crisis, thus giving him the time and space to bed in.