According to various reports in Spain, Real Madrid have reached a £22 million agreement for FC Porto defender Danilo. The only things left to finalize the deal are minor details in the contract and the player’s signature.
Just over a week ago, Porto president Pinto da Costa reportedly slapped a £30 million price tag on the right-back after Danilo informed the club he had no intention of renewing his contract with the Portuguese side, his current deal expires in June 2016.
But Da Costa, who has been described as the ‘Portuguese Daniel Levy’ – his Tottenham counterpart – has apparently allowed the player to leave for less money than was claimed in those reports.
Danilo has been one of the most sought after defenders in Europe; with Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all expressing interest in the 23-year-old full back. But it now appears Real Madrid have pipped their European competitors to the talented Brazilian defender.
The La Liga club has reportedly negotiated a six-year deal with Danilo. The 23-year-old player will earn £1.5 million per season, which nearly triples his current salary at Porto.
According to the Spanish publication AS, the defender has told several of his Porto teammates that he is “crazy” about his impending arrival in Madrid.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who is on-loan at Porto from Real Madrid, has reportedly told Danilo all about the club and shared his insight on living in the Spanish capital. AS also claims the defender has already begun looking for a house in La Finca, where the majority of Real Madrid players live.
When asked about the rumors regarding Danilo at his pre-match press conference on Friday, manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to share any details about the impending deal.
“I know all of the footballers that play in Europe,” Ancelotti said. “I know Danilo and nothing more. I like [him] like I like many players.”
Danilo made his international debut for Brazil when he was 20 years old, and has made 82 appearances for Porto since signing from Santos in January 2012.
During his time in Portugal, the defender has helped Porto win two Primeira Liga titles and steered the club to Champions League qualification each season.
