Arsenal are set to make a second bid for a Brazilian midfielder who Mikel Arteta tried to sign in the summer transfer window…

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According to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, Arsenal are set to submit a second bid for Palmeiras midfielder Danilo once the World Cup group stage is finished.

Arteta made a bid of €25m (£21.5m) in the summer, which was rejected, however, Nicola believes a similar offer this time around could see the Brazilian side accept.

Arsenal face competition from Ajax and Monaco however, and Arteta will be hoping to get the deal over the line sooner rather than later.

Arteta’s own Gilberto Silva

The north London side haven’t had a combative Brazilian midfielder since Gilberto joined back in 2002 fresh from winning the World Cup, but Danilo could excel in exactly the same fashion.

Both operate just in front of the defenders, screening the back four and starting attacks from deep. The former World Cup winner made 243 appearances for the club during his six-year stay in London and Danilo could eventually become a mainstay in the starting XI, especially with his potential.

The 21-year-old embodied the former Arsenal star in the 2022 season for Palmeiras, making 2.1 tackles per match while taking on average 51.3 touches of the ball, proving he doesn’t shy away from the action and constantly demands the ball.

That's nearly identical to Gilberto's final campaign in Brazil, where he made two tackles per game while also making 1.7 interceptions of the ball.

Danilo also chipped in with a goal and two assists during the aforementioned campaign, however, it’s clear that his key strengths lie defensively, just like Gilberto’s and this will be why the youngster is in high demand from clubs in Europe.

Under Arsene Wenger, Gilberto won a Premier League title and two FA Cups and with Arteta leading the club to the summit of the league table during the first half of the campaign, Danilo might see the move as a long-term project.

For a fee of just £21.5m, the move clearly represents a bargain for the Spaniard and if he does impress, he could well make a massive profit on the Brazilian in the future.