Real Madrid Transfer News: Danilo Set to Pick Blancos over Manchester United
Porto full-back Danilo has "verbally agreed to join Real Madrid this summer," according toย Marca (h/t Football Espana).ย
The Brazilian is said to have rejected Manchester United's advances, with Spanish publication Sport suggesting the Premier League club was willing to match hisย โฌ50 million buyout clause (h/t Football Espana). However, Marcaย indicates Danilo's "preferred destination" is the Spanish capital after his representatives allegedly met with Madrid officials "in recent days."
Football Espana's report indicates Danilo could move forย โฌ20 million now he has made his intentions clear. The 23-year-old is out of contract at the end of next season and will soon drop in value if he doesn't sign a new contract or exit when the summer window opens.
Football writer Andy Brassell believes the player can dictate his future:
Danilo is certainly built for Madrid. He loves to move forward from deep and possesses the natural pace to aid the tempo of Carlo Ancelotti's side. Although Dani Carvajal continues to improve in an attacking sense, he doesn't flaunt the natural attributes to advance like Marcelo does on the opposite side.
With Alvaroย Arbeloaย also falling short, it's been a while since Madrid had this type of player on the right side of defence.
Football writer SamuelJayC suggests Danilo would be a success, but that it may be harsh to drop Carvajal:
Porto fans have witnessed Danilo strike four goals and provide one assist this season, per WhoScored.com.
He averages two tackles and 2.5 interceptions, marking him as a reliable defensive outlet. There's a certain glamour to playing an advanced wing-back role for Madrid these daysโsuch players can link up with incredible quality ahead of themโbut Danilo is combative enough to make a difference at the back. His qualities can be seen below:
Madrid are always looking to improve with marketable acquisitions. Danilo is built in the right mould for the European champions: He is young, exciting and improving all the time. Granted, Ancelotti's squad is crammed with quality, but adding greater options at right-back is a smart move.
Arbeloa is unlikely to remain at the club much longerโhe is 32 years old and barely usedโmeaning Carvajal has little competition to maintain his place. Danilo's arrival would certainly change this, forcing the Spanish defender to continue improving in the process.
