Reports: Real Madrid defender could join a Premier League side this summer
What’s the story?
Real Madrid right-back Danilo has set his sight on a move to Premier League side Manchester City next season, according to reports in Spain. The defender has failed to break into Madrid’s starting XI this season and could move to the Sky Blues in search of more playing time.
Daniel Carvajal has been Zinedine Zidane’s preferred choice at full-back and his form this season has been impeccable which puts him in a good position to start next season as the right-back.
In case you didn’t know…
Danilo joined Real Madrid from FC Porto for a fee of €31.5 million in 2015 during Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure. However, he failed to feature regularly under the Italian or his successor Rafa Benitez.
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This season too, he has struggled for form. Los Blancos have won just seven of their 13 games with Danilo in the team in 2016-17 (win percentage - 53.8%). Meanwhile, without the Brazilian, the Meringues prevailed 15 out of their 20 games this season (win percentage – 75%).
The Heart of the Matter
Pep Guardiola's current full-backs lack pace and work rate, but with Danilo’s move to the Etihad next season, the Sky Blues will get a defender who will provide them solid support in defending along with the required pace on the wing.
Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna are being targetted by West Ham United as the Londoners want to sign experienced campaigners. Both Zabaleta and Sagna will be out of contract this season which means they might sign as free agents in the next transfer window.
According to the reports from the Mirror, the Hammers have already offered a one-year deal to Sagna as they want him at Upton Park next season.
What’s Next?
Los Blancos bought Danilo for €31.5 million which means they would like to recoup as much as possible.
Apart from Manchester City, newly crowned Premier League winners Chelsea and Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich are also planning to sign the 25-year-old in the transfer window.
Author’s Take
The Brazilian will get more playing time at City as he will be a regular starter under Guardiola. But moving to Bayern Munich will give the former Porto defender a chance to play under Ancelotti who actually signed him at Los Blancos.
Also, with Carvajal out of the season due to injury he suffered against Atletico Madrid, it is the best time for Danilo to perform and prove that he is not as bad a player as many Madrid fans accuse him of.