Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly sent scouts to watch Danilo Pereira at the weekend, as the two clubs consider a move in January.

According to the Express, both clubs are looking at the £18m-rated player as a possible replacement for current midfielders who could leave the club. Arsenal have Mesut Özil and Jack Wilshere’s contracts expiring, whilst United have Marouane Fellaini’s running down.

I wouldn’t say Pereira was at all similar to Özil or Wilshere, but perhaps Arsenal need a defensive midfielder either way, so the story isn’t completely beyond belief.

If scouts were in attendance over the weekend, they would’ve seen Danilo score his third goal of the season, as he gave FC Porto the lead over Portimonense.

Although goals aren’t the midfielder’s game, with only 13 in 101 appearances for Porto, it’s always good to be able to take chances when they do fall for you.

Arsenal often struggle to find goals from midfield in the current side, especially when Aaron Ramsey is out of form and Santi Cazorla is injured.

But the 6ft 2 Portuguese international is better known for his work at the other end of the pitch, with great physicality and sufficiently good passing to help link the defence with the players in front of him.

If he’s interested in that kind of midfielder, Arsene Wenger will have the chance to make an offer when the transfer window opens on January 1.