Danilo: Samba star picks preferred destination in boost to Man United’s transfer plans | OneFootball

A midfield shake-up was anticipated at Manchester United this summer.

With Casemiro leaving and INEOS expected to make the ruthless decision to cash in on Manuel Ugarte, the Red Devils have every excuse to dedicate a huge chunk of their transfer activity to rebuilding their engine room.

That rebuild is already underway. United have struck a deal for Ederson from Atalanta; it is only a matter of when the move will be made official.

After Ederson, at least two other midfielders are expected to follow.

Anderson transfer hopes fading

So far, it remains uncertain who those two might be. One of them could have been Elliot Anderson, but the latest reports paint a discouraging picture for United fans. The Englishman is apparently no longer a transfer target that United are going to pursue.

The 20-time English champions are understood to want players who want them, and Anderson is thought to be keen on a move to the Etihad rather than Old Trafford.

The good news is that Anderson is far from United’s only midfield option. Links to exciting players like Alex Scott and Mateus Fernandes are there, and there is also an intriguing target in Botafogo’s Danilo Santos.

The former Nottingham Forest man has been in stunning form back in Brazil. His decision to leave Forest last summer and return home has proven to be a masterstroke of a transfer.

He has transformed himself into the complete midfielder many doubted he could become, adding goals to his game in impressive fashion. In his last 12 league games, he has contributed seven goals and two assists, a remarkable return for a midfielder.

Danilo is on Man United’s wishlist

United are said to be watching him closely and even feel he could be the perfect heir to Casemiro. If these transfer links carry any truth, then what South American football expert Tim Vickery is saying should give the Manchester Reds extra motivation to pursue the deal.

Speaking on the Market Madness podcast, Vickery said:

“Danilo, he’s now being known as Danilo Santos, so he’s not confused with the veteran defender, Danilo. That is Santos’ left-footed midfielder, very dynamic, who had a spell with Nottingham Forest, which ended with serious injury, has been in storming form back home in Brazil for Botafogo and will be on the move after this World Cup.

“So he has a real chance to put himself in the shop window, and I think what he would like is a Premier League club that is in the Champions League, so watch out for that one.”

Big boost to Man United transfer plans

Danilo’s preference for the Premier League and Champions League football is fantastic news for United, who are offering exactly that.

With a major opportunity to showcase his abilities at the World Cup, a strong summer tournament could fully capture United’s attention and even reshape their transfer plans.

In truth, with whispers suggesting he could be available for around £35 million, Danilo represents a cost-effective option, one that could still allow United to pursue a marquee midfield signing like Sandro Tonali or Mateus Fernandes alongside him.

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