Danilo set for Allianz return after three years as Botafogo rebuff Palmeiras approach | OneFootball

Danilo will play at Allianz Parque on Wednesday, his first appearance there in three years, and it follows Botafogo recently rejecting a Palmeiras move for the midfielder.

"It is a special moment for me to play against Palmeiras at the Allianz. I defend Botafogo's colours and want to give my best. We are in a difficult spell in the Brasileirão, but I hope we can start a run of wins to lift Botafogo," he told BotafogoTV.

Palmeiras targeted Danilo at the start of this year as a leading option for midfield. The São Paulo club did not push on after John Textor, owner of Botafogo’s SAF, wrote to say he would not negotiate.

Botafogo’s finances have been strained, with image-rights payments three months late at one stage. Danilo threatened to rescind. The club then regularised salaries across the squad, although one instalment is again overdue.

For now, his intention is to stay at Botafogo until the World Cup. His form earned a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s final pre-tournament squad, with March friendlies against France and Croatia to come.

After the World Cup, the natural path for Danilo is a return to Europe, especially if he is in Ancelotti’s final list. He is on the radar of overseas clubs, and Palmeiras’ interest remains, with another approach not ruled out.

His last outing at Allianz Parque was on 11 November 2022, a 2-1 win over América-MG. He later met Palmeiras in the 2025 Brasileirão at Nilton Santos, coming on in a 1-0 defeat.

Danilo made 141 appearances and scored 12 goals for Palmeiras between 2020 and 2022 before a €20 million move to Nottingham Forest in January 2023.

Source: Globo.com