Dani Alves: Barcelona transfer deals could cast doubt on his future
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 9 Mar 2022 06:46 CST
- 3 min read
Reports from Spain this week have indicated that Barcelona will offer Dani Alves the opportunity to play for the club into his 40s with the offer of a new contract.
In January of 2022, Alves completed a sensational return to Barcelona at the request of new head coach Xavi, who was keen to bring back the Brazilian's vast experience.
It was an emotional return for Alves, who left Camp Nou in 2016 in rather sour circumstances at the time after a new contract could not be agreed upon.
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He would enjoy subsequent spells with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, where he would win Serie A and Ligue 1 twice.
Alves is currently the most decorated senior footballer in the history of the game, with 46 trophy wins.
FootballTransfers detailed this week how Barcelona were planning to offer Alves a new one-year deal that would take him into the 2022/23 season.
However, AS reports that it is not a foregone conclusion that he will remain at the club.
Here is why...
Alves' future in doubt at Barca
Alves was brought back to Barcelona due to the injury issues continually suffered by Sergi Roberto as well as the inconsistent performances of right-back Sergino Dest.
The return of the former Sevilla man has, by all accounts, been a massive success both on and off the pitch.
He has provided unrivalled experience on the pitch, but has also emerged as a key figure in the dressing room and a trusted lieutenant of Xavi.
However, by the end of the season, he will turn 39-years-old and so does not represent an option in the long-term.
Barca have gained success in the free transfer market over the past year, signing Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia last summer.
After a positive January transfer window that saw the arrivals of Adama Traore on loan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang free from Arsenal and Ferran Torres on a big deal from Man City, they will look to improve again in the next window.
Unfortunately for Alves, one of the areas they will look at is right-back.
On their list of targets is Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea and Noussair Mazraoui of Ajax, both of whom are available for free.
According to AS, Barcelona will wait and see what happens with these potential acquisitions before asking Alves to stay on another year.
