Arsenal submit £20m bid to sign Palmeiras midfielder Danilo

Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Palmeiras midfielder Danilo (Getty)

Arsenal have submitted a £20 million offer for Palmeiras midfielder Danilo, according to reports in Brazil.

Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his options in central midfield before the summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Thursday.

Injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny have heightened Arsenal’s desire to bring in a new midfielder before the deadline and it appears the Gunners’ technical director Edu has turned to the Brazilian market once again.

According to Goal Brazil, Arsenal have tabled a £20m bid for Danilo, however, Palmeiras are ready to reject the offer as they want a significantly higher fee for the 21-year-old.

Speaking in May, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira was adamant that Danilo would not be sold, while the Brazilian club are also protected by a €100 million (£86.2m) release clause in his contract, which runs until 2026.

Danilo has made 43 appearances for Palmeiras this year, scoring seven goals and registering three assists.

Danilo is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in Brazil (Getty)

Arsenal still have the option to push for a deal for Youri Tielemans before the transfer deadline, with Leicester City asking for £25m for the midfielder who has entered the final year of his contract.

The Gunners also made an enquiry for Paris Saint-Germain’s Leandro Paredes, but the Argentina international is now on the verge of signing for Juventus.

Reports in France have also claimed that Arsenal explored the possibility of signing Idrissa Gueye, but the PSG midfielder has agreed to return to Everton.

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Arsenal are also looking to bring in a new attacker before Thursday’s deadline and Pedro Neto is their top target.

But Wolves are holding out for a £50m transfer fee for the 22-year-old.

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