Chelsea make contact to sign Brazilian midfielder – Newcastle United in pole position

Chelsea have become the latest Premier League club to join the growing race for Danilo Santos, with the Botafogo midfielder continuing to attract attention across England following his return from the World Cup.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United have all been linked with the Brazil international in recent weeks. Now, according to Brazilian outlet FogãoNETChelsea have also made an enquiry with Botafogo over the 25-year-old’s situation.

The report only describes the contact as an initial enquiry, but it adds another major English club to what is becoming an increasingly competitive chase.

Chelsea planning for life after Andrey Santos?

The timing is quite telling. Chelsea have already agreed to sell Andrey Santos to Manchester United this summer, leaving Xabi Alonso with one fewer midfield option and creating room for reinforcements.

Danilo Santos may even have the same surname, but he is not a like-for-like replacement, but he would bring many of the qualities Chelsea are looking for.

After rebuilding his career at Botafogo following his injury-hit spell at Nottingham Forest, he has re-established himself as one of Brazil’s most dynamic midfielders and earned a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.

Chelsea are also arriving at an interesting moment in the race. According to ESPN BrazilBrazilian side Palmeiras have already tested Botafogo’s resolve with a €25m (£21.5m) bid, but the club’s first reaction was that they still expect to receive more for the midfielder.

Even so, their room to push the price much higher may now be limited. Botafogo had hoped the World Cup would drive Danilo towards the €40m (£34m) mark, but his restricted role for Brazil means that expected jump never really came.

With the club still needing a major sale, an offer around this level could end up carrying more weight than they would have admitted before the tournament.

Newcastle still leading the English race

While Chelsea are the newest name to emerge, reports in Brazil still suggest Newcastle United are currently the strongest Premier League contender.

The Magpies have been discussing Danilo Santos internally, with recent claims indicating he could become their preferred replacement if Bruno Guimarães completes a move to Arsenal.

Manchester United have also made direct contact with Botafogo in recent weeks, while Arsenal’s approach has so far been through the player’s representatives.

That means four Premier League clubs have now made tangible moves around Danilo in different ways.

Danilo Santos transfer situation

• Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United all linked
• Nottingham Forest still owed money from exit
• Botafogo hoped the World Cup would raise his value – it did not
• Carlo Ancelotti used the midfielder sparingly
• Represented by Bertolucci Sports, who have big clients at all four clubs

🇺🇿Abdukodir Khusanov almost moved to Newcastle United, as his agent explains

💬 “But we established a great rapport with the Magpies. I have great respect for their management, and they were the first to congratulate us on Khusanov’s move to City.”https://t.co/8GJ4zeFDqo

— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) July 10, 2026