The time at Juventus is over for Danilo. The captain of the Brazilian national team has worn the Old Lady's jersey since 2019, but now he is no longer part of Thiago Motta's plans. At 33 years old, the defender has been given the go-ahead to negotiate with other clubs, and his goodbye appears inevitable. Napoli has already submitted an official offer, but they are not the only ones in the running. Other league clubs are interested as well, and now an answer from Danilo is expected at the beginning of 2025.
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Much more than a tactical matter
This is more than just a tactical choice. The separation process was filled with internal conflicts and disapproval from supporters; this has brought up discussions on how the new administration is handling the club. A foretold departure
The relationship between Danilo and Thiago Motta was never smooth. Since the Italo-Brazilian coach took charge of Juventus, there's been noticeable distance between them. Minor disagreements were enough for Motta to decide to cut Danilo's tenure with the team short.
Despite his contract running until June 2025, Danilo has already been cleared to find a new destination. He won’t travel with the squad to Saudi Arabia, where Juventus is set to face Milan in the Italian Super Cup semifinal. The club is also unlikely to block his exit in January, prioritizing cutting his salary and refreshing the team’s leadership under the new administration.
Napoli’s interest
Of the clubs in pursuit of Danilo, Napoli seems a frontrunner. Equal leaders of Serie A along with Atalanta, Antonio Conte's team have already made their bid official and are hopeful of including Danilo into their ranks to give them reinforcement at the back for seasons to come. His ability to play both as a centre-back and right-back could make him an attractive option for them.
This experienced player could be vital to Napoli as they pursue the title. With an excellent track record in Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Juventus, this will make him an influential leader and versatile defender-precisely what Napoli want to keep up with in this winning momentum.
Victorious chapter in Turin
Despite the sour ending, the tenure of Danilo in Juventus was marked by success: he was the first foreign player to lift a trophy as the captain of the club, winning one Serie A title, an Italian Super Cup, and two Coppa Italia titles. In almost five years, Danilo earned respect both on and off the pitch while serving as a vital figure in important moments.
This season, he played 16 matches, starting eight. However, with the arrival of Motta, Danilo became less used. The coach has been working on the renewal of the team's leadership, and Danilo, a representative of the previous era, did not find his place in the picture.