Arsenal send scouts to watch Brazil and Palmeiras midfield youngster Danilo ahead of January transfer swoop

ARSENAL reportedly sent scouts to watch Palmeiras and Brazil midfielder Danilo last week.

The Gunners are thought to be interested in signing the 21-year-old youngster in January, with SunSport confirming recently that Mikel Arteta is set to splash £50million in the mid-season window.

And, according to journalist Ekrem Konur, they stepped up their pursuit of the international by having club representatives monitor him during Palmeiras’ 3-1 win over Athletico Paranaense.

However, it did not go as Danilo or the Arsenal scouts would have planned as the holding midfielder was substituted at half-time.

The Brazilian international made way for Gabriel Menino – a change which turned the game.

Danilo’s departure came with Palmeiras 1-0 down, before they went on to win the game 3-1.

As a result, it was not the most glowing of lights for Arsenal to see Danilo in.

However, it is believed they remain keen and could try to prize him away in January for a fee of around £26m.

Arsenal have a reputation for signing Brazilian talent for a cut-price, with Gabriel Martinelli arriving for £6m in 2019 and Marquinhos for £3m this summer.

But that will be a difficult task given he is a key player in Palmeiras’ squad and has a contract which runs until 2026.

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He has made 137 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals.

And his performances have seen him catch the eye of Brazil manager Tite – who called him up to the national team earlier this year.

But he is yet to receive his first cap so a place in their World Cup squad is still uncertain.

That could prove to be good news for Arsenal as a move to Europe is something reports suggest could help with his hopes of going to Qatar.

The Brazilian season also concludes before the World Cup, making it an opportune time for Danilo to move.

As well as Danilo, Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Shakhtar Donetsk̢۪s young Ukrainian international Mykhaylo Mudryk and Villarreal̢۪s exciting 20-year-old winger Yeremy.