**Danilo Set to Leave Rangers for Loan Spell at Botafogo**
He did not get on the plane. When Rangers boarded the flight for their pre-season training camp in Spain, Danilo was conspicuous by his absence. That spoke volumes. Now, the 27-year-old forward looks set to depart Glasgow, with a swift move back to South America suddenly on the cards.
What the report says about Danilo and Botafogo
Negotiations are moving quickly. Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reports that Ibrox chiefs are ready to green-light another temporary move, provided the forward actually gets on the pitch this time. It is about regular playing time. Sky Sports soon backed this up, confirming talks with Botafogo are already at an advanced stage.
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The details are telling. Botafogo do not see him as a guaranteed starter. They want him as a squad option, another body to rotate rather than a weekly talisman. The proposal on the table is a loan deal stretching until June 2027, complete with a formal option to secure his services permanently when the spell ends. Leaving him behind in Scotland while the rest of the squad prepped in Spain was a massive hint. His time under the current setup is effectively over.
A realistic look at the numbers
His last campaign was a mess. Split between Scotland and the Netherlands, Danilo managed 40 appearances in total, scoring just five times. 12 of those games came during a dry loan spell at NEC Nijmegen. His last goal came all the way back in April against Feyenoord. He just could not find a rhythm. During his brief stint in the Eredivisie, Danilo managed a single goal and one assist in 273 minutes on the pitch, averaging a modest 6.52 rating on FotMob. Good enough for a substitute, maybe. Not what you expect from a marquee signing.
Rangers paid £6 million for him back in July 2023. When they sent him to Nijmegen, the Dutch side held an option to buy him for just £4 million. That price drop says everything about his falling stock.
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The tactical reality at Ibrox makes his departure inevitable. Derek McInnes favours a rigid, hard-working 4-4-2 system. Up front, Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti are the established partnership, having hammered home 31 league goals between them last term. Behind them, Ryan Naderi and Bojan Miovski are fighting for scraps in pre-season. Danilo simply does not fit. McInnes builds his teams on defensive structure and predictable, reliable patterns. He wants a settled group, not a player recovering from a dip in confidence after successive underwhelming loans.
A logical exit, but the destination brings doubts
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 25: Danilo of Rangers celebrates after he scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Rangers and Dundee at Ibrox Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Financially, this is a simple decision for the club. Andrew Cavenagh and the board need to trim the wage bill, and clearing Danilo’s salary helps clear space for the manager’s squad overhaul. He has two years left on his contract. Getting him off the books, even temporarily, is smart business.
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But are Botafogo actually a good move for the player?
Returning to Brazil makes emotional sense. He left as a teenager, after all. Yet, the footballing logic is shaky. Botafogo have already secured five signings in this window, and they primarily want Danilo as backup for Arthur Cabral. Going from the fringes in Glasgow to the bench in Rio won’t fix his career. At 27, he needs to be the main man somewhere, not a backup plan. Rangers are right to let him go, but Danilo might find he has jumped straight from one frying pan into another.