Two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs are in a quiet tug-of-war over a 25-year-old Brazilian midfielder who already knows English football, and his current club might be willing to deal for less than originally advertised.

Danilo dos Santos de Oliveira, known simply as Danilo Santos, has attracted serious interest from both Manchester United and Arsenal. Botafogo initially slapped a €40 million price tag on the box-to-box midfielder, roughly £34 million, but that figure now appears negotiable following limited playing time during the 2026 World Cup.

Two clubs, two approaches

Arsenal reportedly contacted the player’s representatives directly, while Manchester United went straight to Botafogo. Both inquiries came in early July 2026.

Fulham previously submitted a bid of €30 million that Botafogo rejected.

What Danilo brings to the table

Danilo is contracted to Botafogo until June 2029. Born on April 29, 2001, Danilo previously played for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League before moving to Botafogo in July 2025 for a reported fee of approximately $25 million, around £21 million. His time at Forest was hampered by injury challenges that limited his appearances.

In the 2026 Brazilian Série A season, Danilo recorded 7 goals and 2 assists in the earlier portion of the campaign.

What this means for both clubs

The price dynamics make this particularly interesting. Botafogo paid roughly $25 million for Danilo just a year ago. Even if the asking price drops below the initial €40 million mark, the Brazilian club would still be looking at a significant profit on a player they’ve had for a single season.

The rejected €30 million bid from Fulham establishes a floor of sorts, putting the realistic range at €32–38 million depending on structure, add-ons, and how urgently Botafogo want to sell.

The wildcard to watch is whether Danilo’s injury history at Nottingham Forest gives either club pause during the medical evaluation stage.