Report: Newcastle Interested In Former Forest Midfielder If Captain Leaves

Report: Newcastle Interested In Former Forest Midfielder If Captain Leaves Newcastle Transfer News: Danilo Talks Begin as Bruno Guimaraes Exit Plan Takes Shape Newcastle are doing what sensible clubs do. They are planning for the worst before it arrives. According to O Globo , the club have opened talks with the representatives of Botafogo midfielder Danilo, identifying him as the leading option if Bruno Guimaraes completes a move to Arsenal. That is the key point here. This is contingency work, not panic. Newcastle have not made a formal offer to Botafogo, but they have already signalled to Danilo’s camp that he is the priority target in the event Guimaraes leaves. Clubs serious about competing do not wait until the deal is done before starting the next one. Danilo emerges as priority target Danilo fits the profile. He knows English football from his time at Nottingham Forest, where he made 62 appearances and contributed six goals and four assists. His return to Brazil came after a brutal leg break disrupted the 2024-25 campaign, so there is logic in the idea that a second crack at the Premier League would appeal. His form since then has rebuilt his value quickly. He ended the domestic season strongly with seven goals and two assists in 12 league matches for Botafogo and also featured four times at the World Cup. Newcastle will have noticed the output, but more importantly they will have noticed the skill set. Danilo can pass, carry and create from midfield, which matters if Guimaraes goes. Photo IMAGO Bruno Guimaraes situation looks simple There is no value in pretending a reluctant captain can be the foundation of the next project. If Guimaraes wants Arsenal, then Newcastle should maximise the fee and move on cleanly. Sentiment gets clubs into trouble. Planning gets them out of it. Danilo would not be a like-for-like replacement because few midfielders are, but he offers technical quality and enough top-level experience to make the step feel manageable. Newcastle’s recruitment team appear to understand that replacing one important player usually means replacing function, not personality. Our View As a curious Newcastle supporter, this report makes sense even if it is hardly comforting. Nobody wants to talk themselves into life after Bruno Guimaraes, because players like that do not come along often. He has been the heartbeat of the midfield, the personality, the standard-setter. If he truly wants Arsenal, though, dragging it out helps nobody. Danilo is an interesting name because this is not a random South American scouting punt. He has already handled the Premier League, he is still only reaching his best years and there is enough evidence in his Botafogo numbers to suggest he has rediscovered rhythm after the injury setback. That matters. Newcastle cannot afford a replacement who needs 18 months to settle. The concern is obvious. Replacing your captain with a player coming off a serious injury period carries risk, and Forest supporters would probably say there were flashes rather than total dominance in England first time around. Still, context matters. He was in a difficult side and often looked better than the structure around him. If the fee is sensible, this feels like smart succession planning rather than a gamble. Newcastle need midfielders who can move the ball quickly, play through pressure and contribute in the final third. Danilo ticks enough of those boxes to make the idea credible. The bigger issue is making sure Guimaraes’ exit, if it happens, funds more than one solution.