Nottingham Forest signed Danilo earlier this week and last year Duda claimed he was destined for Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea. In quotes from The Athletic, it’s been claimed that his former teammate tipped him for the top.
Forest won the race to sign the Brazilian wonderkid. A bid of £16 million was accepted and the Reds pipped the Gunners, Leeds and Newcastle to the signing of the 21-year-old defensive midfielder.
Danilo looks like a very exciting signing for the Reds. Despite his tender years, he’s made over 100 senior appearances and has already been called up for the Brazil squad.
Duda is a current Palmeiras player and he’s something of a stalwart, having made 293 appearances for the club. Before the Club World Cup Final against Chelsea last season, the right-midfielder was quizzed on Danilo and he couldn’t speak any higher of him.
In quotes transcribed by The Athletic, he said: “He is a star, he has to play in the Premier League. I always tell him, ‘You have to play at Manchester United or Arsenal’. He has to stay calm, he is a kid who gives his all, but I tell him, ‘You are a player for Chelsea, those kinds of teams’.”
Forest have signed Danilo and they’ve completed a coup
This is a very exciting signing for the Reds. It’s only 12 months ago when Forest signed Sam Surridge, Steve Cook and Keinan Davis. Nothing against those three but how quickly things can change in a single year of football!
Forest have signed a player that was the subject of a bid from Arsenal as recently as the summer. He was also linked with several clubs that are more established in the Premier League than Forest.
But, Forest under Steve Cooper are on the up. Clearly, Evangelos Marinakis isn’t willing to let this momentum die and now more positive results will be on the agenda.
It’s no slight that Danilo might view Forest as a stepping stone move. Ultimately, however, the ball is now in his court and on a six-and-a-half-year contract, the club have certainly placed their faith in him.