Manchester United transfer news: Red Devils target £35m Botafogo midfielder to fill Casemiro void
Manchester United transfer news: Manchester United are tracking Botafogo central midfielder Danilo alongside AC Milan, with both clubs reportedly submitting offers for the 25-year-old Brazilian, per UOL. The Manchester United transfer news surrounding this deal confirms that the Red Devils have shown genuine intent, but Botafogo are in no rush. The Brasileirao club will not rush into a decision, believing his transfer value could rise significantly after the 2026 World Cup tournament.
The Salvador native rose through the ranks at Palmeiras before joining Nottingham Forest on a €23 million deal in January 2023, spending two and a half years at the City Ground before his role diminished under Nuno Espirito Santo, particularly after breaking his ankle at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. Despite that difficult spell, Danilo made 50 Premier League appearances for Forest, giving him a proven record in English football.
Back in Brazil, he has rediscovered his best form, contributing goals and assists in an impressive Botafogo campaign. Botafogo are understood to be asking for a fee in the region of £35 million for their prized asset, a considerable outlay for a South American transfer, but one that pales against the figures demanded for midfielders in England. Fulham, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen, and Zenit St Petersburg have also registered interest, making this a genuinely competitive pursuit.
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Manchester United transfer news analysis: Does Carrick truly need Danilo right now?
Casemiro is leaving Old Trafford this summer, making it a priority for Manchester United to find a suitable replacement in the defensive midfield position. Carrick favours a 4-2-3-1 setup, and United need a number six to complement the number eight and shield the defence while allowing the attacking stars to flourish.
United are intent on signing two midfielders, and Sandro Tonali is reportedly the first player Carrick specifically wants, with a good chance the deal will progress regardless of other business. Ederson is already on the way to Old Trafford. Carlos Baleba and Matheus Fernandes are also being closely assessed, while there is strong admiration for Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid. The competition for midfield spots at Carrington next season will be fierce, and Danilo faces the same problem he faced at Forest and that’s fighting for minutes in a crowded room.
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Manchester United transfer news verdict: A smart depth signing at best
Danilo averaged a respectable 2.6 tackles per 90 in his injury-hit Forest season, and his talents as a high-energy box-to-box star are being maximised back at Botafogo. He brings physicality, pressing intensity, and a goal threat from midfield. Those qualities are real. But Carrick is hunting proven, high-profile names who can step in immediately and drive a title challenge. Danilo, at £35 million, reads more as a smart depth option than a genuine first-choice solution for Manchester United transfer news watchers expecting bold summer statements.
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