Man United Faces Setback as £34m Midfielder Prefers Newcastle Move

Manchester United have encountered a hurdle in their pursuit of Danilo, the midfielder valued at £34 million who seems to favour joining Newcastle United this summer. Although the Red Devils have brought in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to bolster their midfield, they still lack a direct replacement for Casemiro, who left after his contract expired in June.

Failed Ederson Transfer Opens Other Doors

Earlier this year, Ederson from Atalanta BC was close to signing with Man United during the World Cup period, but that deal fell through reportedly due to medical concerns. Ederson has since extended his contract at Atalanta, forcing United to explore other options. Names such as Alex Scott, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga have surfaced, along with Danilo, who previously played in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest.

Danilo Leans Towards Newcastle

Reports suggest that Danilo’s representatives see Newcastle as a more attractive destination. The Magpies are undergoing a midfield overhaul, having sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur for £92.5 million. Arsenal remains interested in Bruno Guimaraes and could soon submit a £70 million bid. Joelinton might also move to Saudi Arabia. Newcastle’s interest in Danilo is clear, with their approach to Botafogo for a summer transfer. Danilo’s contract with Botafogo runs until 2029.

Other clubs like Palmeiras and Zenit St Petersburg showed interest, but Botafogo is reluctant to strengthen rivals, and Danilo himself is not keen on a Russian move. The 25-year-old has made 50 Premier League appearances for Nottingham Forest, scoring five goals, and this season has netted seven goals and provided two assists in 13 matches in Brazil.

Does Man United Still Need Another Midfielder?

Despite having several midfielders capable of deeper roles—Santos, Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Dan Gore, and Tyler Fletcher—the squad feels incomplete. Manuel Ugarte is sidelined long-term due to a knee injury, and younger players like Gore, Fletcher, and Collyer lack extensive top-level experience. Collyer, mostly a number six, played just 17 matches last season across West Bromwich Albion and Hull City.

For challenging fixtures where Michael Carrick may hesitate to rely solely on Santos, Tielemans, and Mainoo, securing a seasoned holding midfielder who excels at disrupting opponents’ play would be valuable.