Arne Slot makes demand to Feyenoord board amid Rangers pursuit of Danilo
Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has informed the club’s board that they must replace outbound talent, including the Rangers-linked Danilo, if they are to have a chance of replicating last season’s success, according to the Daily Record.
Danilo is one of Michael Beale’s top attacking targets this summer and must pay £6.5million if they are to secure his signature [Daily Record] after their £3.5million bid was rejected by the Eredivisie champions [The Sun].
The Brazillian may join a growing pool of departing Feyenoord stars including Oussama Idrissi and Sebastian Szymanski if his Ibrox move transpires.
Rated and needed
Danilo’s impact at Feyenoord must not be understated if Slot is so insistent on him being adequately replaced.
As is common with clubs who overperform, Feyenoord looks set to have a very different side to last season after so much of their core talent have departed the club off the back of their developed reputation.
Danilo is no different, and it is clear why Slot is not happy to see him leave but Beale will be delighted to see him wear the blue of Rangers.
This move too is looking closer and closer to completion, as Danilo is reportedly “adored” by Beale [1908.nl] and the Brazillian himself is keen on a switch from the Dutch top-flight to the SPFL [Daily Record].
It is understandable too, as Danilo offers something different to Rangers’ other attacking acquisitions. The Gers have brought in Sam Lammers who is similarly very technically gifted but is utilised in the box more often and finishes chances created by teammates, which is not Danilo’s natural game.
Cyriel Dessers meanwhile, another former Feyenoord forward, enjoys running into the box and making himself difficult for the goalkeeper and relies on his astute finishing, deft touch, and link-up play with teammates to provide for his team.
Danilo is a different profile to these players and often operates in much deeper positions, even playing many games as an attacking midfielder rather than an out-and-out striker [Transfermarkt] while also being an aggressive presser from the front.
Variety in a team’s attacking profile can pay dividends, and Beale clearly sees this as a priority of Rangers wants to challenge Celtic in the league and give European football a real push again.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox may meet its latest defensive signing in the form of a 22-year-old Premier League youth international despite Leon Balogun’s return.