Manchester United have enquired about a former Nottingham Forest midfielder as they look to explore as many options as they can for their midfield this summer.
With Casemiro now officially not a Manchester United player, and Manuel Ugarte looking set to follow him out of Old Trafford, United are desperate for several new midfield additions.
As it stands, Atalanta's Ederson seems the most likely to join the club, with personal terms seemingly already agreed, and a transfer fee just over the horizon.
However, Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, and Aurélien Tchouaméni have also been heavily linked with a move to Manchester this summer. All three are not likely to join, especially if the Ederson deal goes ahead.
Director of Football Jason Wilcox is continuing to explore his options, though, with United seemingly targeting three new players for the engine room this summer.
United eye Botafogo's Danilo
Danilo, formerly of Nottingham Forest, moved back to Brazil last summer and has impressed this season with 10 goals and three assists, despite playing largely as a central or defensive midfielder.
Valentin Furlan - a Brazilian journalist - has reported that four clubs, including Manchester United, have enquired about Danilo.
Flamengo and Palmeiras are also interested in the 25-year-old, but it is understood that Danilo's priority is to return to Europe this summer.
Atalanta are one of the other clubs named as Danilo's enquirers, potentially to replace Ederson, who seems destined to join United.
Danilo was chosen ahead of Ederson for Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup squad this summer, despite Ederson playing in the Champions League for Atalanta this season.
How much would Danilo cost United?
Danilo moved to Botafogo for just £20 million last summer from Nottingham Forest, but the Brazilian side are likely to demand more than they paid for the midfielder, especially after as good of a year as he has had.
TransferMarkt value him at £27 million, which would be less than what United are planning to pay for Atalanta's Ederson.
While a fee has not been finalised just yet, most reports are suggesting United will pay £39 million to make Ederson a Red Devil for next season.
With Danilo being younger and Premier League-proven, he may be a smarter move than Ederson, but that deal almost seems too far along for United to turn back now, although that could be part of a new recruitment strategy at Old Trafford.
Perhaps United could sign both Brazilians should the deal for Mateus Fernandes collapse.
