According to The Sun, Danilo is considering a move away from Manchester City just four months after arriving at the Etihad Stadium.

What’s the story?

City paid Real Madrid £26.5m to sign Danilo during the summer transfer window as Pep Guardiola freshened his full-back positions.

The defender has made 12 appearances during the 2017-18 campaign, but has struggled for regular football in the Premier League, with Kyle Walker and Fabian Delph currently first choice in the two full-back areas for the Citizens.

According to The Sun, Danilo, who was hooked at the interval of Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Ham United, is considering leaving City in January in order to boost his chances of making the Brazil squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Indeed, it is reported that the 26-year-old, who is valued at £16.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, is concerned that a lack of action in the second half of the season could cost him the chance of being included in Tite’s squad for next summer’s tournament.

Why is Danilo struggling for action?

The fact that Walker is City’s first choice at right-back is not a surprise, but Danilo could be forgiven for thinking that he would have the chance to play at left-back when Benjamin Mendy picked up a long-term injury.

Instead, Delph, who was widely tipped to leave the Etihad Stadium in the summer, has been converted into a left-back by Guardiola.

Danilo actually played in midfield during Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Ham, but lasted just 45 minutes as he was replaced with the Premier League leaders 1-0 behind.

The defender has gone from being a bit-part player at Real Madrid to being a bit-part player at City, and he may well have to move on next month to secure regular action.

There is a lot of football to be played between now and the start of January, however, and Danilo could yet be handed an important role.