Dani Alves to leave Barcelona - sporting director Robert Fernandez
Dani Alves has confirmed he wants to leave Barcelona this summer, the club's sporting director, Robert Fernandez, has said.
Recent reports had suggested that Alves, 33, was set to join Juventus and the Serie A champions' general director, Beppe Marotta, told Sky Sports on Monday that negotiations for the Brazilian right-back were going well.
Alves had then posted a cryptic message on Instagram on Wednesday, writing: "What does luck mean to you? For me it is the point where opportunity and preparation meet. And what does chance mean to you? For me it means sitting on your sofa and waiting for luck to arrive."
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Robert said: "I don't like the idea that Alves is leaving. His performance has been fantastic both on and off the field, but it is his decision to go and we must respect it."
Robert added: "Alves' contract was expired since last year and the club were in a complicated situation. He was a very important player so the club opted to renew.
"So that a player is happy, one looks for situations that benefit everyone and in this case, the clause was that he could be a free agent after one year. Clubs do not always win in these negotiations.
"Last year we renewed under special circumstances because we could not sign players [FIFA ban]. At that time the renewal was logical and normal.
"He had had a great season. He has always done really well here but now he has decided to go. That is a personal decision and there is nothing more. He has communicated with us his intention to leave the club."
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A photo posted by DanialvesD2 My Twitter (@danid2ois) on
Robert said that Aleix Vidal, who joined from Sevilla last season, would be Alves' primary replacement.
"Aleix Vidal was signed with the thinking that Alves could one day leave the club, and we also have Sergi Roberto," he said.
"We have faith in Aleix Vidal. He has international experience, he is coming from a great season at Sevilla and we also have the option of Sergi Roberto."
Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin, who spent time in the Barca academy, is not currently a target.
Robert said: "He is a magnificent player but at this moment we are not considering it."
He also told the news conference that Neymar and Javier Mascherano will remain with the club.
Neymar has still yet to prolong his contract despite months of speculation, but Robert said: "Neymar will stay. He will reach an agreement with Barca and he will be here for a long time. The club will make it public when the extension is to be made.''
Mascherano had also been non-committal on his future amid links with Juve but Robert said the Argentina international will stay put.
"I don't have the slightest doubt that Mascherano will stay here," he said. "He is a vital player."
Adriano, meanwhile, is reported to be seeking a move away from Barcelona with Lazio said to be close to a deal, but Robert suggested he is currently set to stay.
"Adriano currently has a contract and I haven't received any type of call that indicates to me he wants to leave and I can't speak any more to that," he said.
Barca came close to re-signing former Barca B forward Nolito from Celta Vigo during the winter and the Spain international continues to be linked with a return to the Camp Nou.
"He was a player we tried to sign but in the end, for the reasons we all know, we could do no more," he said. "At this moment I can't confirm or deny anything. To talk about players is not good for negotiations.
"He has a contract with Celta. Much was said about him and I believe it ended up hurting the negotiations. Both he and Celta have all my respect."
