Barcelona make their move on Danilo

Posted Saturday, February 28, 2015 by Marca.com

CLUB HAS ALREADY CONTACTED PORTO

FC Barcelona are set on reeling Danilo in and have informed Porto of their intentions. The Portuguese club's president, Pinto da Costa, is surprised by Barcelona's decision, as they are prohibited from signing any new players until next winter.

He has asked those close to the Catalan club if the interest in the Brazilian is real or just a ruse to frustrate any attempt by Real to get hold of the player. Da Costa has also looked into Barça's solvency to see if their bite is as big as their bark - the deal would cost the club upward of €40 million.

Barcelona's plan is to sign Danilo but then let the player continue at Porto on loan until 1st January 2016, when, with the FIFA sanction then over, they will be permitted to sign new players. That day, Danilo would be able to wear an 'Azulgranas' shirt for the first time and help Barça out in the second half of the season.

Porto won't be unhappy with such a proposal. Da Silva wants to get his club through the group stage of the Champions League. After that, progressing through Europe's top club tournament is little more than a dream, and he wouldn't at that point be too upset about letting the player go. Just the opposite is the case of Barça, who face tough challenges at that point in the season, as they normally have little difficulty overcoming the Champions League group stage.

Dani Alves, under pressure

All this looks quite idyllic, but some people close to Danilo believe that all the buzz is nothing more than a strategy to put Dani Alves under pressure to lower his demands regarding his contract renewal. Only time will tell...