Botafogo’s pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo has gained momentum this week following the sale of Gregore to Al-Rayyan, with Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reporting that the 24-year-old has become the club’s number one target to reinforce their midfield.
According to the report, Danilo and his representatives were impressed with the project presented by Eagle Football, the group led by John Textor, which controls Botafogo.
Talks are currently underway, and the next step involves convincing the player to accept the move. His connection to Palmeiras reportedly led him to hesitate about joining Botafogo, a direct domestic rival, though the club hopes to overcome that resistance.
Botafogo initially believed they had sufficient depth in midfield and showed no urgency to sign a replacement. However, Gregore’s departure prompted a reassessment, particularly from manager Davide Ancelotti, who is still getting to know the squad.
Danilo had been in discussions with Eagle Football for a potential move to Lyon, but the French side’s financial constraints made that scenario unlikely. That opened the door for Botafogo, even though the working relationship between the two clubs has cooled since Textor stepped down as Lyon president.
Crucially, Nottingham Forest do not count on Danilo for next season, which has reportedly lowered his asking price and made him an attractive target.
At first, Botafogo were not directly involved in negotiations, but Gregore’s transfer reshaped their plans, and they are now monitoring the talks more closely.
Despite being out of Forest’s plans, Danilo remains under contract with the Premier League side. He was signed from Palmeiras in 2022 and has made 62 appearances, scoring six goals and providing four assists.
For now, Botafogo are pushing to make Danilo their next reinforcement, but whether emotional ties or sporting plans will prevail remains to be seen.
