NafisaRangers are closing in on the departure of striker Danilo Pereira after Botafogo made major progress in negotiations to take the Brazilian back to his homeland.
The 27-year-old now appears to be on the verge of leaving Ibrox, with fresh reports from Brazil claiming only the final formalities remain before the transfer is completed.
Journalist Pablo Oliveira reports that Botafogo have already agreed the framework of a season-long loan deal with Rangers. The agreement also includes an option to make the move permanent, with both clubs now working to complete the remaining paperwork.
The latest breakthrough comes after reports earlier this week revealed Botafogo were pushing to sign the striker, and the move now looks increasingly inevitable.
Danilo joined Rangers from Feyenoord in 2023 for a fee believed to be around £6 million, arriving with high expectations after impressing in the Netherlands. However, injuries and inconsistent form prevented him from establishing himself as a regular starter at Ibrox.
Rangers have now reportedly accepted that any permanent transfer will bring in significantly less than the fee they originally paid. The purchase option included in Botafogo’s loan agreement is expected to reflect that reduced valuation should the Brazilian club decide to trigger it at the end of the season.
The striker spent the second half of last season on loan at NEC Nijmegen after slipping down the pecking order in Glasgow. Across spells with Rangers and NEC during the 2025/26 campaign, Danilo made 40 appearances and scored five goals.
According to Oliveira, Rangers boss Derek McInnes has already approved the striker’s departure, making it clear that the Brazilian does not feature in his long-term plans as the club continues its squad rebuild.
That decision has paved the way for Botafogo to accelerate negotiations as they seek additional attacking options despite already having Arthur Cabral as their first-choice centre-forward.
Barring an unexpected late twist, Danilo now looks set to return to Brazilian football for the first time since leaving his homeland to join Ajax’s academy as a teenager. Rangers, meanwhile, will hope regular football at Botafogo helps restore the striker’s value, even if any future permanent transfer is expected to fall well short of the £6 million they paid to sign him.
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