Manchester United has officially kicked the tires on Botafogo midfielder Danilo Santos, according to a report from the BBC. The Red Devils are in the market for another midfield body even after bringing in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this summer. Michael Carrick apparently wants a specialist defensive midfielder, and Danilo fits that profile.
The 25-year-old Brazil international spent two seasons at Nottingham Forest before heading back to Brazil in July 2025. He played 50 Premier League games for Forest and has since reminded everyone why he was worth watching. All eight of his senior Brazil caps have come this year, which tells you something about his form.
What Danilo brings to the table
He’s 6-foot-2, physical, and somehow everywhere on the pitch at once. His passing range is solid, his relentlessness is the kind of thing coaches talk about in private, and he’s technical enough to play out of pressure. In theory, he’s exactly what United needs to eventually replace Casemiro.
But the really interesting part is the price tag. Danilo reportedly has a £17 million release clause specifically for foreign clubs. That’s significantly less than the roughly £23 million offer Botafogo already turned down from Verdao, a Brazilian side. For a player with Premier League experience and a growing international resume, that number looks like a bargain in today’s market.
Botafogo would rather sell him abroad, which makes sense given the clause situation. Palmeiras and Zenit St Petersburg have both submitted offers around £25 million, but those are domestic or Russian league bids. United and other European clubs can trigger that lower figure if they act fast.
Newcastle is lurking too
Newcastle United also has eyes on Danilo. They’d like to bring him back to England. So United isn’t alone in this chase. The club hasn’t confirmed whether it plans to submit a formal bid, and there’s a real chance they decide not to sign another midfielder at all this summer.
Danilo made four appearances at the World Cup for Brazil. That experience, combined with his Premier League track record, makes him a safer bet than most players coming out of South America. He’s already proven he can handle the pace and physicality of English football.
United is weighing multiple options right now. Fans will just have to wait and see which direction the front office goes. But if they want a mobile, ball-winning midfielder who won’t break the bank, the path is pretty clear.
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