Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Wed 1 April 2026 20:22, UK

Danilo is unlikely to complete a permanent transfer to NEC Nijmegen from Rangers at the end of the season.

Voetbal International journalist Sander Janssen believes it doesn’t seem likely that the Eredivisie outfit will exercise their option to buy the Brazilian striker.

While it has been acknowledged that the Dutch club still have time to make a decision on the centre-forward’s future, the signs don’t look encouraging.

What has plagued the 26-year-old at NEC is a lack of game time, with just five appearances, four of them coming off the bench.

Danny Rohl sanctioned Danilo’s exit in the winter transfer window, but the German manager may be tempted to keep him for the 2026-27 campaign.

Danilo has something Danny Rohl lacks at Rangers

Danilo will still have two years left on his contract at the Gers once he possibly returns from NEC.

The Brazilian national was competing with Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski for opportunities in the first half of the season, but ultimately left, likely due to Ryan Naderi’s arrival.

There was a point in the 2025-26 campaign where the striker looked like Rohl’s preferred number nine, but the German manager subsequently put a lot of faith in the former Everton ace.

Fans in G51 consider Danilo to be a better finisher than Chermiti, Miovski and now possibly even Naderi, who hasn’t scored in his first seven William Hill Premiership matches.

Rohl is desperate for some ruthless instinct in the final third at the Glaswegian outfit and the ex-Feyenoord star may have a shot at redemption at Ibrox.

Writing on X on 30 March, Janssen said, “NEC don’t have to make a decision about Danilo just now. But looking at his performances, it doesn’t seem likely. Who knows what he will show in the rest of the season?”

Danilo a readymade replacement for unsettled Ibrox star

Miovski clearly looks unsettled at Rangers after failing to revive his career in Scotland.

The North Macedonia international would have certainly hoped to get back to his best after a tough year with Girona, but Govan surely isn’t the right place for him.

Rohl has been reluctant to use the 26-year-old at the Gers in recent weeks and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him push for an exit in the summer.

If Miovski does leave, Danilo could possibly be the perfect option for the Glaswegian outfit to maintain depth in their attack.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.