Real Madrid Transfer News: Danilo Plan Hatched, Alvaro Morata Return Downplayed

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro could be key in Los Blancos' pursuit of Porto star Danilo, according to Marca.

Casemiro is currently on loan at the Portuguese club, where his stock has risen considerably with consistent playing time. He struggled to make an impression at the Bernabeu last season—registering two starts across La Liga and the Champions League, per WhoScored.com—but is outlined as Florentino Perez's "wild card" in any potential negotiations with Porto, per Marca.

The Spanish publication suggests Porto boss Julen Lopetegui wishes to sign Casemiro permanently. Reports indicate Madrid want Danilo to move the opposite way, per Jack Bezants of MailOnline, so a player-plus-cash deal could be in the offing.

Sergei Grits/Associated Press

Marca notes Porto chief Pinto da Costa "is famous for being a hard bargainer and is out to squeeze every cent out of Real Madrid for his star player." The report provided further comment:

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If Carlo Ancelotti (or whoever the manager is next season) were to decide to continue not counting on Casemiro, Real could include him in negotiations with Porto, bringing Danilo's price tag down considerably. When Barcelona showed interest in the Brazilian not all that long ago, Pinto da Costa's asking price was an eye-watering €30 million.

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Marca also plastered Danilo on the front of its Thursday newspaper, tweeted via football writer Jonas Giaever:

Despite Casemiro's potential key role in this deal, Carlos Forjanes of AS believes the 22-year-old midfielder will be handed a prominent role when he heads back to the Spanish capital.

"On his return to the Bernabeu, the Brazilian will (re)place the departing Sami Khedira," writes Forjanes.

The club has made a push for youngsters recently—signing Martin Odegaard and Lucas Silva in January—so a consistent playing role isn't out of the question for Casemiro. Let's not forget Khedira isn't a regular starter and has to overcome the likes of Toni Kroos, Isco, Luka Modric, Asier Illarramendi and James Rodriguez for a place in the team, though.

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

Madrid have also reportedly kept a close eye on Alvaro Morata since letting him leave for Juventus. He was surprisingly allowed to exit in the summer when the club decided to sign Javier Hernandez on loan from Manchester United, a player who hasn't scored since Oct. 18, per WhoScored.com.

Many Madrid fans were angry to see Morata—a product of their youth team—be pushed out the door without an opportunity to establish himself. Juve took a chance and have been rewarded with five goals and three assists in 692 minutes worth of Serie A action, equating to one telling contribution every 87 minutes, per WhoScored.com.

Morata's recent quality is highlighted below:

As such, Morata's agent, Juanma Lopez, has suggested Madrid will struggle to lure him back despite possessing a €30 million buyback option. AS reported Lopez's comments.

"I can only say that the player is happy at Juventus and is only thinking about Juventus. Madrid are following him, but he is focused on Juve."

Morata previously spoke of Juve squad's "closeness," something he believes is "different" to Madrid, per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t AS). Serie A expert David Amoyal doesn't expect the 22-year-old to move anytime soon:

It certainly looks like Madrid are gearing up for another busy summer. An increased focus on bringing in youth is extremely interesting to see and could be the result of Madrid already possessing a stunning first-team squad. Danilo would certainly add attacking threat from right-back while there's the sense Morata has unfinished business at the Bernabeu.

The European champions will need to work avidly to sign either, such is their demand and stature at their current clubs.