Palmeiras closing on Alexander Barboza as Danilo return seen as unlikely | OneFootball

Palmeiras are in the final stages of a deal for Alexander Barboza, while a move for Danilo is considered remote.

According to Globo.com, the clubs reached agreement nearly two weeks ago for the 31-year-old centre-back, with Palmeiras set to pay 4 million dollars, R$ 19.7 million, and the terms already aligned.

The club expect him to arrive after the World Cup, when the domestic window opens. Registrations run from 20 July to 11 September.

The key condition is that Barboza must not reach 13 Série A appearances, he has 10. Botafogo left him out of the last round while talks continue.

That appearance limit also hampers any Danilo deal. The midfielder has played in 11 matches, so could feature only once more and still be eligible to move within Série A. A key figure for Botafogo and a World Cup hopeful, he is unlikely to be rested.

Palmeiras have pursued a return for their academy product since the start of the year, but Botafogo have consistently refused domestic offers. John Textor told the São Paulo club in February he would not sell, and that stance remains.

Botafogo are expecting post-World Cup bids of 40 million euros, R$ 232 million, for Danilo, a fee Palmeiras will not contemplate. A European transfer is therefore the most realistic scenario.

Palmeiras also remain in talks with Nino’s camp to finalise his move from Zenit once the Russian league ends.

Source: Globo.com