Manchester United and Arsenal are both interested in Danilo Pereira and reportedly had scouts in attendance during Porto’s match against Portimonense.
According to The Sun, Manchester United and Arsenal are both showing genuine interest in Portuguese international Danilo Pereira. The report reveals that the two Premier League clubs sent scouts to monitor the player’s performance over the weekend as Porto faced Portimonense in Liga NOS.
Danilo Pereira is a player that has risen rapidly up the proverbial ladder in world football. The midfielder played a key role in Portugal’s triumph at the European Championship in 2016 and his brand has only grown in stature since.
Danilo signed a new deal in January, 2017 and his start to the 2017-18 campaign has only seen his list of admirers growing. Also able to take the field as a centre-back, the holding midfielder has played a part in 16 matches this season for Porto, with a credible statistic of 3 goals and an assist despite his average position on the pitch.
Arsenal have been in need of reinforcement in the said position for a few years now. The need for a holding midfielder has accentuated after the onset of Santi Cazorla’s injury troubles and the inability of Granit Xhaka and other players to impress Wenger enough. Arsenal’s conversion to playing a 3-man backline has added another layer of importance to the presence of a pure holding midfielder, which the club currently lack.
Manchester United do have quality in abundance when it comes to the holding midfield. Michael Carrick and Nemanja Matic have both been brilliant in the said role while Ander Herrera seems to have converted into it successfully under Jose Mourinho.
However, with Carrick and Herrera’s deals set to expire at the end of the season, Jose Mourinho does have to look for another midfielder to add to his squad. Danilo Pereira, at 26, seems to fit the bill for both the clubs and a transfer battle looks set to ensue between two of the most successful Premier League clubs.
Danilo Pereira & Hutchinson most underated DM in world football
— positioning & vision (@different_class) November 21, 2017
Tackling and marking are two of Danilo Pereira’s strengths, while the midfielder also seems to possess the added ability of scoring goals and aiding in quick transition from defence to attack – bonus qualities in holding midfielders.
Porto will unlikely be ready to do a deal anytime soon, let alone January. However, the summer might see either of the club managing to convince the Portuguese giants to part with their prized asset, albeit for a considerable fee, especially with the player having around four-and-a-half years left on his new Porto deal.
For now and till the summer, we may and should see the aforementioned clubs and maybe more monitor the player’s displays in order to gain more information on his ability. Any deal though, will have to wait till the summer.
