Barcelona right-back Dani Alves is out of contract with the Catalan side at the end of the season. The Brazilian full-back was free to negotiate with other clubs at the start of the January window, but has thus far elected to stay at the Camp Nou.
Following yesterday’s 3-2 victory over Villarreal, Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu was non-committal on the player’s future at the club, while the defender’s agent admitted that Alves’ time with the La Liga giant may be running down.
“There are certain matters that we won’t discuss at present as they’re not urgent,” Bartomeu said following Sunday’s match at the Camp Nou. “We’re still not yet planning next season.”
“We’re at the beginning of February and are focused on the current campaign. Come March, we’ll start looking at these things.”
During the winter break, Alves told the Catalan daily SPORT that Barcelona had not offered him a new contract. The 31-year-old told the publication that he wasn’t disappointed with the club and insisted he would continue to give his all for La Blaugrana. Alves has been with Barcelona since July 2008 and has made over 200 appearances for the Catalan club.
Today, when asked about his client’s future with Barcelona, Alves agent Dinorah Santana said: “He will give his all whilst he is here, that’s all I can say.”
“We’d like to stay…but we’ll have to see. He may renew but if he needs to move, he’ll move. Sometimes things come to an end and there is interest from other clubs.”
Alves has been linked with moves to Juventus, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool over the past several months.
With Barcelona currently unable to sign new players due to the club’s FIFA imposed transfer embargo, it’s a strange decision to leave the veteran right-back’s future up to chance.
With Martin Montoya and Douglas Pereira dos Santos the only options to replace the Brazilian full-back in Luis Enrique’s squad, it would be in Barcelona’s best interest to secure Alves for another one to two seasons.
