Manchester United make enquiry about Botafogo midfielder Danilo | OneFootball

Manchester United’s summer midfield recruitment drive continues to gather pace, with the latest target a name familiar to Premier League supporters.

According to reports from Brazil, United have made an enquiry for Botafogo’s Danilo, with the Red Devils’ recruitment team identifying him as a potential addition to Michael Carrick’s midfield rebuild.

The interest may raise eyebrows, given that Danilo spent two and a half years at Nottingham Forest before departing for Brazil last summer.

However, the player who has emerged at Botafogo is much changed. Since joining the Brazilian side, Danilo has transformed from a traditional defensive shield into a dynamic, hybrid midfielder, capable of breaking lines and joining the attack with purpose—racking up 11 goals and 7 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.

That explosive form recently earned him a first international cap and a call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, a recognition that has unsurprisingly attracted interest from clubs across Europe.

Milan, Atalanta, and Zenit are all understood to be monitoring his situation, meaning United will face genuine competition for a player whose stock is rising by the week should they choose to pursue a move.

Botafogo have made their preference clear: they will only sell Danilo to a European club, ruling out domestic rivals Palmeiras and Flamengo despite their interest. The Brazilian club are believed to be seeking a fee of around €40m.

Danilo, who views Casemiro as a ‘role model’, boasts Premier League experience, having already made over 50 appearances, reducing much of the adaptation risk typically associated with South American signings.

With Ederson and Sandro Tonali dominating the headlines, Danilo could represent a shrewder, more cost-effective alternative that United would be wise not to overlook.