Reports suggest that English giants Manchester United could announce the signing of Barcelona’s Dani Alves as early as this week.
The Manchester side has been severely linked with a move for the Brazilian, and there have been continuous reports over the last few months that the player could join the Red Devils next season.
Alves is set to quit Barcelona this summer when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Various sides including Premier League side Liverpool and French club Paris Saint Germain have also been linked with him, but according to Daily Mirror (which quotes reports in Spain), Manchester United look like they’re going to get their target.
A deal is believed to be announced a within daysa as the Brazilian looks extremely close to signing his contract with the 20 time league winners.
Louis van Gaal will get the experienced defender for free, but he will command expectedly high wages reported to be around A?150,000-a-week.
However, this is contradictory from the comments he made recently where Alves himself stated that he hasn’t signed a contract with any club and is focused on finishing his term at Nou Camp with trophies.
“My heart is happy where I am, with what I have and the colours I defend. It’s not up to me how long I’ll be here,” he told Globoesporte. “I’ll fulfil my part because I have the same desire I had when I came to Barcelona.
“I have no pre-contract with anyone. I’ve decided to live in the moment and the moment is now.
“There are three competitions this season. I want to end my contract with titles, so I finish with a good taste in my mouth. Whatever comes next, I’ll accept.”
Alves has been with Barcelona for seven years after moving from Sevilla for a fee in the region of A?23 million.
If these reports are true, Manchester United are set to land an extremely experienced and proven right-back who will be a vital addition to the squad. Alves’s attacking instinct could make him a pivotal part of Louis van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system where the 31 year old would operate as a wing-back, if the Dutchman switches back to it next season. The United manager currently plays Valencia in the position and Alves will naturally be a big upgrade on the player. Not only that, his experience will help the young players as well. Louis van Gaal will naturally be looking for trophies with the club next season and it looks like Alves will the first addition to the squad.
