NafisaRangers are edging closer to completing another major outgoing of the summer after reports confirmed Danilo is now on the brink of leaving Ibrox for Brazilian giants Botafogo.
The 27-year-old striker has fallen completely out of Derek McInnes’ plans, with the new Rangers boss continuing his ruthless overhaul of the squad following last season’s disappointing campaign.
While several fresh faces have already arrived at Ibrox, attention has now shifted towards moving players deemed surplus to requirements.
McInnes has shown from the moment he arrived that reputation alone will not guarantee anyone a place in his squad. Danilo’s omission from Rangers’ pre-season training camp in Spain only strengthened speculation that his time in Glasgow was nearing its end, and negotiations have now reached an advanced stage.
According to reports, Rangers and Botafogo are in the final stages of discussions over a loan agreement that includes an option to buy. Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph has revealed that the permanent clause will become active if Danilo reaches a specific number of appearances during his spell in Brazil.
The Brazilian forward arrived at Ibrox from Feyenoord in a deal worth around £6 million in 2023 with high expectations, but injuries and inconsistent form prevented him from establishing himself as Rangers’ first-choice striker.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, although the Eredivisie club chose not to activate their purchase option after an underwhelming spell.
Now, a return to his homeland appears to be the next step in his career, with Botafogo prepared to give him another opportunity to rediscover his best form.
Danilo still has two years remaining on his Rangers contract, meaning the Scottish giants are hoping the appearance-based purchase clause will eventually secure a permanent transfer and finally bring his Ibrox chapter to an end.
His impending departure is also another sign that McInnes is far from finished reshaping his squad.
Both Danilo and John Souttar were left out of Rangers’ pre-season camp as the club actively explored transfer solutions, underlining the manager’s determination to build a completely different squad for the new campaign.
Further exits could also follow before the transfer window closes. Players including Clinton Nsiala, Nedim Bajrami and Ross McCausland have all travelled with the squad to Spain, but uncertainty remains over their long-term futures.
Rangers have already strengthened significantly this summer with the arrivals of Lawrence Shankland, Ben Godfrey, Dan Neil, Ross McCrorie, Cammy Devlin and Ivor Pandur, while further additions are still expected before the season gets underway.
With Shankland and Youssef Chermiti expected to lead the attack, competition for places has become even tougher, leaving little room for Danilo in McInnes’ plans.
If Botafogo complete the deal and Danilo reaches the required appearance target, Rangers could finally draw a line under one of the club’s most disappointing transfer investments in recent years as McInnes’ ruthless rebuild continues at full speed.
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