Despite Palmeiras midfielder Danilo being regularly linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months, interest in the midfielder has cooled, according to recent reports.
The Athletic claim that the 21-year-old is not on the club's agenda heading into the January window, with Mikel Arteta instead prioritising Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Danilo was first looked at by Edu in January this year before a move was considered again in the summer following injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny, football.london understands. However, Palmeiras were reluctant to sell at the time, leading the Gunners to turn their attention to Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz on deadline day.
READ MORE: Arsenal's January midfield transfer in doubt as Edu looks to provide Gabriel Jesus injury cover
Again, Arsenal’s efforts were unsuccessful which meant Arteta had to rely on Sambi Lokonga to provide cover despite the Belgian struggling for form since his arrival last year.
Arteta has always supported his players through the highs and the lows, after all, Lokonga is still only 23 and new to his surroundings, but the difference in quality and reliability between him and Partey remains a concern.
Arsenal's pursuit of a midfielder in the summer wasn't just down to the lack of quality on offer, but it was also due to the low number of defensive-minded options available to Arteta. Partey and Elneny have both endured injury problems in recent times, and if either is unavailable, the Gunners find themselves considerably short in that area.
The addition of Danilo or Luiz would have undoubtedly eased those concerns, but despite interest in the former appearing to diminish, Edu has another name in mind. According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Arsenal have been scouting Vitoria de Guimaraes midfielder Ibrahima Bamba over the last few months and could formally enter the race to sign him in January.
Arsenal’s interest in Bamba was first reported by the Daily Mirror last month, who added that the 20-year-old is valued at £26.5million. Paris Saint-Germain, Atalanta and Villarreal are also said to be following his situation closely, leaving Vitoria open to offers.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal would be willing to spend that much on someone who has only made 25 senior appearances, especially after the slow adjustments made by Lokonga, who had 78 senior appearances under his belt prior to joining.
Nevertheless, Bamba represents another talented option for Arteta and Edu should they finally decide to bolster midfield next month, although it appears they’ll have to move quickly to avoid missing out.
READ NEXT:
Reiss Nelson admits Arsenal contract desire amid Gunners' Mykhaylo Mudryk interest
Arsenal squad additions to be confirmed this week as Mikel Arteta targets active January window
Why Gonzalo Higuain never signed for Arsenal after striker announces retirement 9 years later
Arsenal stance on Dusan Vlahovic revealed amid Mykhaylo Mudryk links and Gabriel Jesus injury
Arsenal scout ‘next Santi Cazorla’ for bargain January transfer with £17m price tag revealed
