Arjun Menon
Arsenal and Manchester United have both initiated contact over a move for 25-year-old Brazilian midfielder Danilo Santos from Botafogo this summer. Arsenal reached out to the player’s entourage directly, while Manchester United approached the Brazilian club to open transfer discussions, according to a report by O Dia via Sport Witness.
Botafogo set an asking price of €40 million, partly anchored to Santos’s World Cup profile. The midfielder managed only 44 minutes of game time before Brazil’s round-of-16 exit against Norway, so the valuation is grounded in his domestic form rather than his tournament impact.
How Danilo Santos Has Performed Since Returning to Brazil
Santos joined Botafogo from Nottingham Forest last summer after spending 30 months at the City Ground, where he was a steady presence in the Premier League. Back in Brazil for nearly 12 months, he has been one of the standout midfielders in the country, registering 11 goals and seven assists across 41 appearances for Fogao. That output has drawn attention from several clubs, with Arsenal and Manchester United emerging as the most concrete suitors.
Read also: Tottenham Set €30M Asking Price for Richarlison Ahead of Summer Exit
Why Both Clubs Are Pursuing the Brazilian Midfielder
Manchester United’s interest stretches back well before this window. The departure of Casemiro on a free transfer and a long-term knee injury keeping Manuel Ugarte sidelined have left a clear gap in central midfield. While Andrey Santos is close to completing a move to Old Trafford, the squad still needs more depth in that area.
Arsenal’s pursuit is tied to a specific tactical need. The Gunners are targeting a holding midfielder capable of competing with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi. The situation became pointed in spring 2026 when Myles Lewis-Skelly displaced Zubimendi, signalling that Mikel Arteta is not fully settled on his current midfield configuration. Santos, as a proven defensive midfielder with Premier League experience, fits the profile Arteta is seeking.
At €40 million, Santos represents a measured outlay for either club. His familiarity with English football means an adaptation period is unlikely to be an obstacle, and his physical attributes make him well-suited to the Premier League’s demands. Follow TipsGG for the latest updates as this transfer develops.