Nottingham Forest are reportedly expecting offers from ‘major European teams’ for Danilo with the £16 million January signing already facing an uncertain future at his Premier League employers.
Now, Nottingham Forest’s approach to recruitment over the last 12 months may bring to mind the phrase ‘chucking darts at a dartboard’. But, in Danilo, the two-time European champions certainly hit the bullseye.
In fact, if you were to rank all the new players who arrived in the Premier League during the January window – not just at Forest but throughout the league – the £16 million signing from Palmeiras would arguably be competing for a place on the podium.
The 22-year-old was an outstanding piece of business; as impressive on the ball as he is off it, while also chipping in with his fair share of goals. Danilo scored three times in 12 starts, including in vital wins over Brighton and Southampton.
“He is an exciting player,” manager Steve Cooper told The Athletic in April. “An exciting prospect.
“Sometimes, when young players come to clubs, it can be months before they even get a game. We are really happy with him.”
Danilo already a favourite at Nottingham Forest
There was to be no prolonged period of adaptation required for Danilo. Such was the immediacy of his impact, ESPN report that Nottingham Forest are already anticipating approaches from some of Europe’s big-hitters for a man who was reportedly on Arsenal’s radar during much of the last few years.
Forest, to quote ESPN, ‘know that they will not be able to count on the Brazilian for much longer’. That is not to say Danilo is going anywhere this summer, however.
The report adds that Danilo’s suitors – whoever that may be – will continue to keep tabs on him until the New Year, in the hope that he succeeds in building upon a highly-promising debut campaign at the City Ground.
But if Danilo was Forest’s bullseye addition, then Gustavo Scarpa found himself bouncing off the outer ring. Danilo’s former Palmeiras team-mate started strongly before a knee injury curtailed his impact.
There is a belief, however, that the 2022 Brazilian Serie A Player of the Year will be a man revitalised and raring to go next term, a full pre-season helping Scarpa get used to the rigours of English football.
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Star transfer-listed after admitting he’d ‘think about’ Nottingham Forest move
Hendrick van Crombrugge is up for sale at Anderlecht shortly after admitting that he would be open to joining Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Hindsight, as they say, is a wonderful thing.
Hendrick van Crombrugge would no doubt agree. Shortly after rejecting a January switch to Nottingham Forest, the experienced Anderlecht captain lost his place between the sticks to Bart Verbruggen.
And if Van Crombrugge had hoped that Verbruggen’s impending £17 million switch to Brighton and Hove Albion would hand him the opportunity to reclaim his place as Anderlecht’s number one goalkeeper, he was very much mistaken.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, the 30-year-old is now on the transfer list
Whether Nottingham Forest renew their interest remains to be seen. Van Crombrugge, per The Sun, rebuffed Forest’s advances five months ago for personal reasons but he might not make the same decision again.
“If Nottingham Forest come back at the end of the season, I would certainly think about it,” the one-time Belgium international told Radio Radzinski a few weeks ago.
Nottingham Forest need at least one new goalkeeper
The Leuven-born glovesman has played 120 games in four years at Anderlecht.
One the biggest clubs in Belgium are keen to cash in rather than farm him out on loan, however; Het Nieuwsblad reporting that Genk’s hopes of signing Van Crombrugge on a temporary basis have been squashed by the RSCA Stadium bosses.
At Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, Van Crombrugge would likely have to be content with life as a number two. Much like the last few months at Anderlecht.
Forest are close to bringing Dean Henderson back to the City Ground from Manchester United for around £15 million. There remains a place in Cooper’s squad for another goalkeeper, however, with Keylor Navas on his way back to Paris Saint-Germain (Manchester Evening News).
In addition to Van Crombrugge, Forest are also keeping tabs three Italy-based stoppers; Michele di Gregorio (Monza), Emil Audero (Sampdoria) and Luis Maximiano (Lazio).
Trabzonspor skipper Ugurucan Cakir is another under consideration.
