Danilo Santos race takes fresh twist as Chelsea make contact

This Chelsea transfer news follows the sale of Andrey Santos to Manchester United. The Blues now look to secure a seasoned Brazilian midfielder to bolster their midfield ranks for the coming season.

The sudden Chelsea entry in Danilo Santos transfer saga

As reported by Football365, the Blues have opened talks with Botafogo regarding Danilo. This sudden entry into the race serves as a replacement plan for the club. A few days ago, they agreed on a sale of Andrey Santos to Man United for a total package of £50 million. They now intend to use those funds to sign a more mature option in the middle of the park.

At the same time, a tug of war has begun among several English clubs to sign the player. Before Chelsea made their move, Newcastle held the upper hand in the race to sign the midfielder. Arsenal and Man United have also tracked the player closely through various channels. But after the sale of Andrey Santos, the Blues clearly have the financial muscle to complete the deal.

Notably, the player’s market value has shifted recently after the World Cup. Botafogo at first valued him at €40 million. However, his limited role for Brazil in the 2026 World Cup has led to a change of that asking price. As reported by Tribal Football, his current market value has dropped to roughly £34 million. This price drop makes the move appealing for Chelsea as they seek to refresh their midfield.

Danilo Santos for Botafogo in 2026, as per FOTMOB:

A possible Premier League return for Danilo

The Brazilian midfielder is no stranger to English football. He joined Nottingham Forest in January 2023 for a reported £16m and has had about two seasons there. As reported by CaughtOffside, he played 62 games for the club and scored six goals across all competitions.

His spell in England never really took off due to injury. Danilo suffered his biggest setback in the first game of the 2024-25 season. He broke his leg after only the eighth minute of the game with Bournemouth. It was the final nail in the coffin for his campaign and, ultimately, his time at the club.

Danilo returned to Brazil in July 2025, joining Botafogo in a deal worth around $25 million. He has since found his best form, scoring 11 goals in 41 matches. Because of this impressive display he was selected for Brazil Cup squad for the World Cup. He appeared in 4 matches as a substitute. A move in the Premier League could give the midfielder the chance to revive his career back in England.

How Chelsea could use Danilo

His huge range of passing will allow Chelsea to deploy the midfielder in a variety of tactical positions. Primarily a defensive or central midfielder, he can get forward into attacking areas. His box to box energy helps him at both ends of the pitch. This makes him a good fit for a high intensity system.

According to FOTMOB, Danilo has an 85.2% passing accuracy this season. He also recorded 28 shot attempts. of which 12 were on target. He won two Copa Libertadores titles with Palmeiras. That track record adds to his appeal.

Despite offers from other clubs, Chelsea believe their project and offer can convince the player to choose London. As reported by ESPN, Chelsea have already made initial calls to figure out the terms of a potential deal. They can offer a high-paying contract and the platform to compete for major honours. After a poor finish last season, the Blues are looking to sign players that can provide value to their squad.

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