Crystal Palace monitoring two Brazilian midfielders as scout confirms transfer need

Crystal Palace are continuing to monitor Corinthians midfielder André Luiz and Botafogo’s Danilo Santos as they assess options to strengthen their midfield.

Palace have previously been linked strongly with André, including sending scouts to watch the Brazilian, while their interest in Danilo has remained largely under the radar.

Now Alessandro Brito, Palace’s head scout in the Americas, has confirmed both players remain on the club’s radar.

Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Brito revealed Palace have not held formal negotiations for either player.

“No, they didn’t get to the point of happening,” Brito said when asked about potential talks.

However, the interest remains active.

“They remain under our monitoring. There is a need for us in that position, so we’ve been following some players who stand out there.

“They are, yes, on a broad monitoring list that we’ve been following game by game.”

The comments are particularly significant because Brito has effectively confirmed Palace are actively assessing midfield reinforcements.

Palace’s interest in André has been reported extensively, with the Eagles previously sending scouts to watch the Corinthians midfielder.

Brito’s comments suggest that interest was genuine, although it never progressed into negotiations.

Danilo represents a different case. The Botafogo midfielder has previously been linked more prominently with Newcastle United, but Palace are also tracking his development.

Brito knows Danilo particularly well after previously playing a role in taking him from Nottingham Forest to Botafogo.

The Palace scout also explained what the club values when assessing midfielders for Premier League football.

“The difference with this type of player is that he isn’t quick in physical terms, but he makes the game quick,” Brito said.

“He’s the guy who can develop the game with one touch, two touches, and he makes the game quick.”

Neither André nor Danilo appears to be the subject of an imminent Palace bid, with Brito describing them as part of a broader monitoring list.

The more important revelation is that Palace have identified a need in midfield and are actively scouting potential solutions.

That could make the position one to watch in the January transfer window, with André and Danilo two confirmed names already under consideration.