Arsenal are reportedly in talks with former Barcelona defender Dani Alves, a target for the Catalans, over a possible Bosman move this summer.
According to respected Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri, Arsenal are the latest club to be linked with Dani Alves, who is a free agent after running down his contract with PSG. The Brazilian international is also the subject of interest from former club Barcelona, with fleeting links with Manchester City emerging as well.
Dani Alves is one of the rare individuals who have enjoyed the status of living legend before even calling time on their playing careers. In a career that has lasted nearly two decades, the Brazilian defender has gone on to amass 40 trophies for club and country to become the most successful player of all time.
Dani Alves has won trophies everywhere he’s been
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???? pic.twitter.com/KVFzX0xvYh— Goal (@goal) July 8, 2019
The latest success came with his national side as Alves donned the armband for the Selecao and guided them to their first Copa America title since 2007. In doing so, he was also adjudged to be the best player in the competition. And, having become a free agent following the culmination of his deal with PSG, the 36-year-old has become a hot property in the transfer market.
Former club Barcelona have been heavily linked with the prospect of bringing the veteran back to Camp Nou, as have a few other La Liga outfits. And, the Blaugrana have now been joined by Arsenal in pursuit of Alves, with the Gunners opening talks with the player.
The 2018-19 season proved that Arsenal sorely lack quality beyond Hector Bellerin, when it comes to the right-back slot. Stephan Lichtsteiner was signed to be the backup to the former Barcelona man, but was unable to make any sort of impact, meaning Ainsley Maitland-Niles – a midfielder – spent another season playing out of position.
To that end, targeting Alves, who, despite his advancing age, still seems to be performing at a high level, makes sense. Additionally, Arsenal could do well with signing a player who has enjoyed loads of success with top clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus and PSG and will bring some much needed winning mentality to Emirates.
Barcelona, on the other hand, might need a new right-back this summer, amid uncertainties over the future of Nelson Semedo. If the Portuguese defender ends up leaving, signing Alves as a short-term solution could be just what the La Liga champions need as they wait for Moussa Wague and/or Emerson to be at the required level to be regular first-team members.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have also been linked with the Brazil captain and could have a role to play in the race to sign him. But, Arsenal will hope to seal a deal quickly, having already contacted the former Barcelona star an his representatives.
With Bellerin still not fully fit, Alves could be able to stake claim to be the first-choice right-back straightaway, although a return to Barcelona would always be alluring. It now remains to be seen which way his career takes him, as the race to sign him continues to intensify.
