President says £21m Arsenal target isn't leaving this summer, despite hints

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Palmeiras midfielder Danilo in recent weeks.

In March, Calciomercato.it claimed that the Gunners are ‘vigilant’ of the 21-year-old’s transfer situation.

And in April, La Lazio Siamo Noi also reported interest from Mikel Arteta’s side in Danilo.

The player himself appeared to drop a hint regarding a potential move to the Premier League just this week.

Danilo, who has earned himself a Brazil call-up, spoke to UOL Esporte about his plans for the future.

He revealed that he’s been told to effectively prepare for a big move to England, including learning English.

“They told me: ‘You’ll have a good season and, when the time comes, you’ll leave,’” he said, via Sport Witness.

“‘How are you going to talk, are you going to communicate with the coach?

“‘How is he going to talk to you, how will you understand?”

“And I thought and said: ‘Wow, that’s right’. Then I started studying it.”

However, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira has now claimed that Danilo is not leaving in this transfer window.

The official spoke to ESPN Brasil – via Sport Witness – and made it clear that the youngster won’t be on his way out.

“Palmeiras are working. Our squad is very short, we need reinforcements. We need to buy players, not sell players,” Pereira said.

“Palmeiras needs to buy players like Merentiel. And, in the mid-year window, Danilo stays. You can nail it.”

There have been reports suggesting Palmeiras want 25m euros (around £21m) for their player.

While Pereira’s stance complicates things, it remains to be seen whether an increased offer from Arsenal could tempt them into a sale.

‘You can nail it’: President says £21m Arsenal target isn’t leaving this summer, despite hinting at move