Manchester United’s summer midfield rebuild has hit enough roadblocks that they might have to get creative. And creative might mean circling back to a familiar face who just watched his World Cup stock take a hit.
Botafogo’s Danilo Santos, the former Nottingham Forest midfielder who rebuilt his game back in Brazil, was supposed to be a breakout star at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he played 43 minutes total across Brazil’s run. That’s barely a cameo. And for Botafogo, that lack of exposure is turning a potential windfall into something closer to a clearance sale.
Per Brazilian outlet O Dia, via Sport Witness, the club had been holding firm on a €40 million (around £34 million) asking price for Santos before the tournament. The plan was simple: let him shine on the world stage, then cash in at a higher number. But Santos never got the runway to showcase his growth, and Botafogo’s financial situation hasn’t changed. They still need to move a major asset this summer. The leverage just shifted.
The Numbers Behind the Resurgence
Santos’s game has quietly evolved since leaving Europe. Initially viewed as a pure defensive midfielder — a destroyer type, a Casemiro-lite — he’s now shown he can produce in the final third. In his last 12 league games for Botafogo, he’s bagged seven goals and two assists. That’s not just a run of form. That’s a player who’s added a layer to his game.
He’s still combative in the middle. He’s just also a threat now. And for United, who need to replace Casemiro and also upgrade on Manuel Ugarte — who hasn’t looked like the answer since arriving — a midfielder who can do both at a discount should be appealing.
United’s Midfield Shopping List Keeps Shrinking
The club already has one midfield signing locked in, with Ederson set to complete his medical. But beyond that, the options keep getting snatched up. Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes — all names United liked, all now headed to rivals. So the scouting department is left digging deeper. And Danilo Santos keeps showing up on those lists.
He’s got Premier League experience. He knows the pace. And now he might come cheaper than originally expected. Arsenal is also sniffing around, so United can’t afford to take their time. If Ineos wants to make a smart, low-risk midfield addition that frees up budget for a bigger swing — like, say, Aurélien Tchouaméni — this is the kind of deal that makes that possible.
Botafogo wanted a World Cup boost that never came. United might end up being the ones who benefit.
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