Real Madrid eye Danilo as Ivanovic alternative - report

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Real Madrid have stepped up their pursuit of Porto full-back Danilo as an alternative to Chelsea stopper Branislav Ivanovic, Marca reports.

Securing the 28-year-old's signature was reported to be a top priority for Jose Mourinho this summer but while he acknowledged the Blancos' interest, the Serbia international declared he had no plans to leave west London.

The Spanish paper claims the coach has since turned to another of his former clubs in Porto for reinforcements, with Danilo now emerging as the frontrunner to compete with Alvaro Arbeloa at right-back.

Mourinho attended the friendly clash between Brazil and Denmark in Hamburg last week and is also rumoured to have kept a keen eye on the youngster's midfield colleague Lucas Moura.

Frequently compared to Barcelona star Dani Alves, Danilo was bought from Santos for a fee of €13 million back in January and has made an instant impact in the Portuguese Liga, helping the Dragons to the league title.

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