Botafogo’s most expensive signing in history is not expected to remain at General Severiano after the World Cup.
In excellent form and included in Brazil’s most recent national team call-ups, defensive midfielder Danilo is highly sought-after on the market.
That interest, combined with the financial instability faced by the black-and-white SAF, makes the player’s departure in the mid-year transfer window an increasingly likely scenario.
According to ge, so far three clubs have already shown official interest in Alvinegro’s No. 8: Palmeiras (Brazil), Fulham (England), and Zenit (Russia).
The figures being discussed are around the €30 million mark:
- Fulham: studying a deal worth €22 million fixed + €8 million in performance-related bonuses.
- Zenit: offered €25 million fixed + €5 million in variables.
- Palmeiras: indicated willingness to invest a similar amount.
A possible transfer to the São Paulo club, however, is seen as more complicated because it involves a rival in Brazilian football.
Despite the need to raise funds, Botafogo would need to be convinced to negotiate with a direct competitor.
In that scenario, the player’s own desire and pressure would be decisive factors in the outcome, although no official offer has reached Glorioso’s table so far.
The same applies to Flamengo, which, according to Jorge Nicola, is also interested in the midfielder, but Botafogo would not be willing to make a move to its rival easy.
Behind-the-scenes turmoil
Danilo’s 2026 at Botafogo was marked by turbulence as early as the first quarter.
In January, the midfielder’s camp even threatened to terminate his contract unilaterally due to delays in image rights payments.
The pressure worked not only for him but for the entire squad, as the board moved quickly to settle the overdue payments.
Around the same time, Danilo nearly ended up in England. John Textor went as far as holding direct talks with Evangelos Marinakis (owner of Nottingham Forest) to sell the midfielder and player Montoro in a package deal.
The transaction was only not completed because, at the time, SAF Botafogo was barred by the courts from negotiating players without the approval of the social club, and the sale faced internal resistance from other directors.
The structure of the failed deal called for Danilo to leave for €19 million and Montoro for €15 million.
However, as Botafogo still owes €20 million to Forest over Danilo’s previous signing, the deal would have generated a “low” balance.
After deductions and taxes, Botafogo’s coffers would have received only around €8 million net.
Uncertain future
Despite the strained relationship caused by the financial problems, which contrast with the winning project promised when the player left England to return to Brazil, Danilo felt at the start of the year that a hasty departure could hurt his sporting plans and his dream of being called up for the World Cup.
That is why he chose to stay and focus on the pitch. And the decision paid off: at 24, he is the team’s biggest star, with ten goals and three assists in 2026.
Considered the club’s main asset, his sale is seen internally as the main solution to ease the delicate financial situation.
It remains to be seen whether Glorioso will be able to withstand the sporting loss of its biggest standout player, especially on the eve of a World Cup.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
