Danilo Pereira has been ruled out for six months and will miss the World Cup after picking up an Achille’s injury on Monday night.
“Danilo Pereira has suffered a partial break in the Achilles heel of his left leg and will undergo surgery on Thursday, and more information will follow after the operation,” said Porto’s official statement.
Arsenal and Manchester United have been scouting the defensive midfielder who was rumoured to be on the move this summer. Valued at around £18m, he was also linked with a January move but that obviously didn’t happen.
/ AFP / JOSE MANUEL RIBEIRO (Photo credit should read JOSE MANUEL RIBEIRO/AFP/Getty Images)
Danilo was enjoying an excellent season up until he was injured in January and spent 65 days out with a calf strain.
He had only just returned when he picked up this latest injury. He has 30 appearances, four goals and three assists so far but his season is now over.
The midfielder stands at around 6’2″ and his main strength is his aerial ability. He uses every inch to his advantage. As a result, he’s won a massive 74.6% of his aerial duels this season.
He’s also very comfortable on the ball, completing 86.6% of his passes for Porto, two attributes the Gunners could use in a defensive midfielder.