Arsenal now 'going for' £18m star on deadline day at the Emirates

Arsenal are ‘going for’ Palmeiras midfielder Danilo as manager Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his first-team squad ahead of tonight’s deadline, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

The 21-year-old has emerged as a surprise transfer target for the Gunners in the final hours of the window and could become their sixth signing of the summer.

A recent report from the Daily Mail has revealed that Arsenal are ‘exploring a deal’ to sign Danilo as they find themselves in the midst of a midfield injury crisis.

Currently, Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga are the only recognised central midfielders available for selection with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny sidelined through fitness concerns.

It’s claimed that Arsenal are understood to value Danilo at around £18 million, but it remains to be seen if the Brazilian side would be satisfied with that figure for their prized asset.

However, the north London outfit could face a tough task in securing the youngster’s signature as the Evening Standard have stated that Palmeiras ‘have no plans to sell’ the engine room operator.

The outlet have disclosed that Brasileiro Serie A side are only willing to sanction a sale now if his £86m release clause for foreign suitors is met.

Arsenal have long been linked with a move for Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, who is likely to be available in a cut-price deal after entering the final year of his contract.

Yet Crook has informed GiveMeSport that the capital club are focussing their attention on Danilo over the Belgium international.

He said: “Danilo, I think, is the midfielder they’re going for. Which is interesting given that we now know that Youri Tielemans would be available for around £25 million. I think Arsenal maybe felt like he