FC Barcelona Tell Club Legend Dani Alves To Leave This Summer
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 17: Dani Alves reacts as he is presented as a FC Barcelona player at ... [+] Camp Nou on November 17, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Getty Images FC Barcelona have told Dani Alves that his contract won't be extended, meaning he will have to leave the club after June 30. The club legend rejoined the Blaugrana in the winter transfer window, signing as a free agent until the end of this month after a stint at Sao Paulo FC in his homeland. Impressing at right back and managing to become a starter there under first team coach Xavi Hernandez at the age of 39, Alves has been told on Tuesday morning that he won't be offered a contract renewal according to SPORT. The veteran Brazil international is currently on vacation after recently traveling to Asia for two friendlies with his national team known as the Selecao. Due to Barca's bombshell news, however, it looks like Alves could have an extended break and will not report for preseason duties with the Catalans on July 4 nor travel with them to the United States for a string of friendlies ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy clash with Roma at Camp Nou on August 6. Playing at a European club of repute is important for Alves' hopes of making Brazil's 2022 Qatar World Cup squad in November. But Barca's economic situation while in debts of around $1.5bn, plus the likely signing of ex-Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, have contributed to him having to look elsewhere for top-level football in 2022/2023. SPORT say that Alves was even willing to sign a new contract with a special clause in it that meant he could be cut in January after the World Cup, the trophy for which is the only one that has eluded him thus far as the most successful player of all time in terms of silverware. Yet Barca are said to believe they have right back covered, and they want to give Alves the time and freedom to seek a new employer. This might not be such an ardent task, as Alves has several offers around Europe that he can now begin looking at in detail. His departure could speed up Azpilicueta's arrival too, upon which 'Azpi' will compete with Sergi Roberto and Sergino Dest for minutes.
Barcelona veteran’s continuity depends on the arrival of Chelsea legend
According to SPORT’s Ferran Correas, the future of Barcelona defender Dani Alves will depend on whether the club can sign Cesar Azpilicueta from Chelsea this summer. Alves returned to Barcelona in November last year, five years after leaving the club as a free agent in 2016. The 39-year-old had to wait until January to make his second debut for the Blaugrana and made a good impression in the second half of the season. Despite his advanced years, Alves managed to displace Sergino Dest and become Xavi’s preferred option at right-back, finishing with a goal and three assists from 16 games in all competitions. However, Alves’ contract with Barça stands to expire at the end of this month. While it had been initially reported that the Blaugrana would extend the veteran star’s deal until the end of the year, plans seem to have changed now. Barcelona have extended the contract of Sergi Roberto by another year while Sergino Dest is unlikely to leave the club either. But, the Catalans are intent on signing Cesar Azpilicueta from Chelsea and if they are successful in doing so, the club are unlikely to persist with Alves. Azpilicueta is held in very high regard by Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez due to the versatility, leadership and experience he would bring to the table. He is seen as the priority in the right-back position for the summer. However, signing him has gotten complicated due to the situation at Chelsea. Azpilcueta triggered a one-year contract extension clause in his deal, which means he is now tied down at Stamford Bridge until 2023. While he is keen on joining Barcelona and has a contract agreement with the club, the new owners at Chelsea are reluctant to let the veteran defender leave after having seen Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger depart. So, Barça will have to reach an agreement with Chelsea over a transfer fee to sign the Spaniard. In case they are unable to do that, Alves could see his contract getting extended, even if it is on a short-term basis.
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