Arsenal Transfer News Latest Update: Gunners’ Target Danilo Pereira Confident He Would Suit Mikel Arteta’s Style
Arsenal have been in the lookout for a defensive midfielder this summer and are heavily linked with Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey, who has a £44.8 million release clause in his contract. The Gunners have made Partey their priority this summer and see Pereira as an alternative option should the Partey signing go beyond their hands.
Porto midfielder Danilo Pereira believes he would fit in well with Mikel Artea’s style of play at Arsenal. The 28-year-old, who has been constantly linked with Arsenal this summer, has been full of praise for Arsenal and Arteta and has also expressed his wish to play for the Gunners in the future. The Portugal international is impressed with kind of football Arsenal have played under Arteta, since the Spaniard took over on January, and feels he could complement the side and adjust quickly to the Premier League. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang 'Pretty Convinced' on Staying at Arsenal, Says Manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal have been in the lookout for a defensive midfielder this summer and are heavily linked with Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey, who has a £44.8 million release clause in his current contract. The Gunners have reportedly made Partey their priority signing this summer and see Pereira as an alternative option should the Partey signing go beyond their hands. Pereira too has a release clause in his contract, which is reported to be £53.8m.
But unlike Partey, the Portuguese has already expressed his interest in joining the Gunners. "I think he (Arteta) is doing a really, really, good job there (Arsenal)," Pereira told Stats Perform News when asked about Arsenal after the Gunners beat Manchester City 2-0 to reach the FA Cup 2019-20 final.
"He is a really good coach who started as the second coach at (Manchester) City, so he has a little experience and Arsenal play very good football and I think he is doing very well there. He is a bit similar to Portuguese coaches, they also want to play with the ball and improve with the ball, so I think he is a good coach,” he added.
Danilo also believes that he would easily fit into the current Gunners side. "The style I think I can fit there, the way he plays also thinking on the ball, the team always has to be together I think it is a good way to play. I think the Premier League is a huge league and one day I want to play there, to improve to be a better player. I think it's the best league in the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Portugal defender Abel Xavier compared Danilo to Arsenal and France great Patrick Vieira. And asked about the same, Danilo said: "I grew up seeing Patrick Vieira playing in Arsenal so he is one of my idols so it is very good to hear that from Abel Xavier."
Arsenal face Chelsea in the FA Cup final and should they win, it would be Gunners’ first title of any kind since the Community Shield win in 2017. They had also won the FA Cup in 2016-17. In the Premier League, Arsenal are currently placed 10th with 53 points from 36 matches.
They are five points behind the final Europa League spot, currently occupied by Tottenham Hotspur who beat them 2-1 in the North London Derby, and must win both of their remaining two league games while also hoping Tottenham, Sheffield United and Burnley each lose their final match.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2020 11:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).