We have been a bit bah humbug about this one for a while. Manchester United have been persistently linked with a move for Barcelona star Danny Alves and The Guardian has now weighed in with some inside information on the matter.
Manchester United believe they are in pole position to recruit Dani Alves from Barcelona should Louis van Gaal wish to sign the right-back.
Alves becomes a free agent this summer and Barcelona are minded to allow the 32-year-old to leave after Saturday’s Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin.
We have said all along that this guy is a super player but, at 32, is he really the right profile for the club? He would be coming in on a free transfer but his wages would still be massive and his signing could preclude Manchester United from bringing the brilliant Nathaniel Clyne into the club. Because, unless Manchester United Antonio Valencia (29) and Rafael da Silva (24) then they would surely only have room for one addition on the right side of defence.
It is entirely possible that both could go and that Alves is being used as a one season mentor for Clyne. But we feel that the Englishman is good enough to take the reins as Manchester United’s first choice right back for years to come. Why buy a short term solution when the club can install a player who can grow into the team and offer years of service?
Manchester United fans: a wise move to sign Alves?
