Manchester United have been dealt yet another transfer set back at the mighty hands of Real Madrid. United’s primary defensive target Danilo has agreed to join Real Madrid from FC Porto in a mega €31.5 million deal.
Danilo has signed for Real till the 2020-21 season and will join the Los Blancos after the current season ends. Manchester United had pursued a prolonged interest in the player as Van Gaal had identified the Brazilian as the long-term solution United’s right-back issues.
Since Gary Neville’s retirement, Unite dhave shuffled between Rafael, Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to find a stable player for that position but the search still continues and now with Danilo deciding to join Real Madrid Van Gaal must look for other options.
Danilo’s biggest asset is his flamboyant style of play where he loves to bomb on in opponent’s penalty box and supply regular crosses for the front players to feed on. Danilo would compete for the starting 11 place against the likes of Danny Carvajal and Alvaro Arbaloa.
Danilo’s fee of €31.5 would almost guarantee him the place in Madrid’s starting 11 which could spell the end for Alvaro arbaloa and Fabio Coentrao at Bernabeau. Arbaloa has been hevaily linked with a move back to his former side Liverpool while Coentrao has started yet another transfer tussle between Madrid and Man United by claiming that it would be his honor if he gets a chance to play for United.
Real Madrid are expected to announce Danilo’s official signing in coming weeks with the player set to join Real Madrid at the end of this season.