Report: Arsenal considering move for FC Porto midfielder Danilo Pereira

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ESPN have claimed that Arsenal are interested in signing FC Porto captain Danilo Pereira this summer and plan to meet with the Euro 2016 winner’s agents towards the end of the season.

Pereira, 28, is one of Porto’s longest-serving players – with just eight appearances shy of 200 in blue and white. A part of the Euro 2016-winning squad, alongside Cedric Soares, he has enormous experience.

He has a release clause in his contract worth £54million – but Porto are willing to sell him for just £18million due to Financial Fairplay reasons, and the global health crisis. He has two years left on that contract.

Pereira is open to a move to the Premier League and earns just £48,000 a week, making him a much cheaper alternative to Thomas Partey. Arsene Wenger is also said to have scouted Pereira during his reign.

TBR’s view – Pereira cheaper, but still a very good signing

Partey is the ideal Arsenal signing. Still with plenty of years left ahead of him, Partey is in the form of his life and all the signs suggest he is perfect for the Premier League – and only going to get better.

But if Arsenal cannot afford his £45million release clause, which seems likely, then Pereira is the next best thing. Landing him for less than half of Partey’s exit clause is excellent business, given Pereira’s experience.

Still only 28, Pereira could be the anchor for Arsenal’s midfield over the next three years. A no-brainer at that price.