Danilo has been extensively linked with a move away from Nottingham Forest this summer, but any deal has seemingly stalled in recent weeks.
After Danilo was linked with a move to Lyon, it seemed as if the Brazilian midfielder would swiftly depart the City Ground in a transfer triangle with two of John Textor’s clubs.
Forest will sign Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha from Textor’s Botafogo, with the American businessman’s involvement in Lyon making it seem that negotiations could quickly move on to Danilo’s switch to Lyon, given Evangelos Marinakis’ good relationship with Textor.
The rumours of the midfielder’s move to France have quietened down, but a fresh report has explained the latest on Danilo’s departure with a potential reason for the delay.
Why Danilo’s transfer from Nottingham Forest to Lyon has stalled
One report suggested that Textor wanted to include a future Botafogo move in Danilo’s contract, something that the Palmeiras-loyal midfielder was understandably against.
However, according to John Percy of The Telegraph, the deal is still very much on and will take shape once another deal is completed.
The report said: “Danilo and goalkeeper Matt Turner’s moves to Lyon will accelerate when the two Brazilians [Jesus and Jair] are signed and sealed.”
Lyon have agreed a £6.7m deal for Turner in a deal that will see Forest lose money on the American goalkeeper, who never hit the ground running at the club.
Turner may need to be replaced by another backup goalkeeper, but Danilo’s exit will certainly leave a gap in the Forest squad, one that could be filled by a different Brazilian midfielder.
Nottingham Forest should replace Danilo with Douglas Luiz
Forest fans accepted Danilo’s exit as the proposed £21m deal would open up precious room to spend in respect to PSR restrictions.
That room should be utilised with a move for the extensively-linked Douglas Luiz, who has been given a tempting new price tag by Juventus.
Luiz will be available for £30m from Juventus in a loan with an obligation to buy deal, making him a no-brainer for Marinakis to pursue as an upgrade on Danilo for just a £9m outlay.
The former Aston Villa man would bring an attacking output that would pair beautifully with the industrious nature of Elliot Anderson, an upgrade to the squad that Nuno Espírito Santo would surely benefit from.
