Midfield maestro Danilo has suffered an injury heartbreak and it could also mean a tough decision to make for Manchester United and Arsenal.
According to Goal.com, the Porto playmaker “will miss at least four months of action”, ruling him out of the World Cup and throwing into jeopardy his summer move.
It had been widely reported in Portugal that Danilo was going to be offloaded by the club in order to raise much-needed finance, and United and Arsenal were both at the front of the queue.
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Scouts from both clubs have been seen loitering with intent in Porto this season, but now the midfielder has suffered a partial rupture of the Achilles tendon of his left ankle.
The 26-year-old, who has been in sparkling form for the club this season, will undergo surgery today and he isn’t expected to be seen again until the start of next season. That will deprive Portugal of his presence in Russia and throws up into the air his possible transfer.
Goal.com says that Arsenal and United were “willing to squabble over the Portugal international during the summer transfer window”.
But it seems likely they will now turn their attention elsewhere, with the Manchester Evening News claiming that Real Madrid could be willing to give them one or both of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in return for Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.