Vasco da Gama’s 17-year-old midfielder Danilo Barbosa da Silva, has attracted transfer interest from European sides Liverpool and Inter Milan, according to reports in Brazil.
Danilo celebrates his goal v Portugal in the Toulon Tournament, with Douglas and Doría
The youngster from Simões Filho, Bahia, impressed Liverpool’s scouts during the 2013 Toulon Tournament, where he was part of the Brazil side which won the competition. The Anfield scouts were at the prestigious French youth tournament to watch another midfielder, Grêmio’s Matheus Biteco, but have since turned their attentions to Danilo on the back of his performances there.
Danilo was awarded a trophy at the end of the competition, which the Toulon Tournament site states as “Plus jeune finaliste” (youngest finalist), and the midfielder proved himself throughout the tournament, beginning it on the bench, and ending up as a starter in the final.
Danilo receives his young player award from Mazinho at the 2013 Toulon Tournament
Danilo has been compared to current Brazilian midfield general Paulinho, but could be a great midfielder in his own right if he makes the right choices, and can get some good experience early on in his career.
He’s already won a couple of titles at youth level. He was part of the Brazilian U15 South American Championship winning side in 2011, as well as the aforementioned Toulon Tournament. Below is a link to the official call up from the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) for the U15 tournament which was held in Uruguay. This document is sent to the Rio de Janeiro FA whose job it is to inform the clubs, and some of the other players on this list may become more familiar in the future!
[PDF – Brazilians based in Rio de Janeiro called up for Brazil U15 – 05/10/2011 (to save, right click and save link/target as)]
It’s thought that Liverpool will be looking to sign the player to bolster their options in the defensive midfield position, as they look to develop a young player with potential rather than sign a ready made back-up to Lucas Leiva.
Danilo turns 18 at the end of February 2014, so will be able to move to Europe after that date, as Brazilian players can’t move abroad until they reach this age.
Extra information in this article kindly provided by Paulo Freitas and Guilherme Melo