Dani Alves is a player that you can’t help but associate with Barcelona. He’s been at the Nou Camp since 2008 and has made 299 appearances after all.
What’s more, there’s never been a season where he has played less than 40 games for Barcelona. He’s been a regular first team presence for Barcelona throughout his stay. Not even injury has managed to hold him back in any significant way.
With this in mind, it’s a little hard to believe his contractual situation. As The Express note, the Brazilian will be out of contract next summer and will thus be able to leave the Nou Camp on a free transfer. The source also claims that his manager, Luis Enrique, has no plans to offer Alves a new deal.
This is largely due to the rise in prominence of two Barcelona full-backs, Martin Montoya and Douglas. Both footballers have shown that they’ve got the ability to make it at the top level. Now that Dani Alves is 31-years-old, it’s not all that surprising that his club is attempting to move him on.
It’s about this age that players’ pace begins to drop off. From here on out he’s gradually going to start losing some of his energy, dynamism and drive. That’s just a natural progression.
Still, there’s no doubting that he’s a class act, who’s likely to move on to another top club. This is surely why The Express has linked him with a move to both Manchester United and Liverpool.
Both club’s have made new defensive additions this summer, but things could be different in a year’s time. By that stage they may have a need for a player like Dani Alves. In particular, Manchester United would seem to provide a good fit, particularly if Louis Van Gaal can bring the club back into the Champions League this season.
Getting Dani Alves as part of a free transfer would be a real coup. Let’s just hope that the Manchester United hierarchy are keeping their eye on this one. They wouldn’t want Liverpool to sneak in and pluck him up from underneath them.
What’s your take? Should The Red Devils be in the market for Dani Alves?
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