Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 5y

Paris Saint-Germain to hold Dani Alves contract extension talks - sources

Paris Saint-Germain will speak with right-back Dani Alves' representative this week as they consider a contract extension for the Brazil international, sources have told ESPN FC.

The French champions are keen to tie Alves, 35, to the Parc des Princes for at least another year, while talks are also underway with midfielder Marco Verratti and Lassana Diarra has left the club after his contract was mutually terminated.

Although there is no agreement with Alves yet, sources have told ESPN FC that the former Barcelona and Juventus man's agent, Dinorah Santa Ana, will meet with PSG this week to discuss the possibility of him sticking around past the end of his current contract this summer.

The Ligue 1 giants' chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi is keen to keep hold of the experienced defender, who is very close to teammate Neymar, while coach Thomas Tuchel is also happy with Alves being a versatile member of his squad.

"Each day is a challenge with Dani," the German said at Tuesday's news conference ahead of Wednesday's Ligue 1 clash with Montpellier. "He is demanding and asks for everybody's best in every way.

"Dani is a leader with lots of energy -- he never stops. In Manchester, he was left-sided, he pressed, he was aggressive, and he is very reliable.

"Dani is a model for his teammates. He demands the same thing from the other players -- to play clean. Dani is also demanding with me."

According to the sources, Thomas Meunier's PSG future is not as clear as it once was after he fell behind central defender Thilo Kehrer in Tuchel's pecking order in recent weeks, and Alves has filled midfield gaps that should soon be plugged by Verratti and new signing Leandro Paredes together.

An additional year of contract with the possibility of another is the most likely outcome Alves if he does stay, but he has spoken of the Premier League as "a must" before retirement.

Alves has recovered from a knee injury to re-establish himself as an important figure for PSG, and he has helped Tuchel fill the gap left by Verratti's recent absence. With the Italy international fit again, Alves should move back towards his regular right-sided defensive berth.

Verratti has also been in talks with PSG, said the sources, and a three-year contract extension from 2021 to 2024 has been discussed with agent Mino Raiola lately -- a move that would see the 26-year-old earning at least €10 million annually as one of the club's best-paid players.

Talks between the two parties date back months but Verratti's epic display in last week's 2-0 Champions League round-of-16 first leg win at Manchester United appears to have sealed the deal.

Elsewhere, Diarra has left PSG after his contract was terminated early because of chronic knee problems, sources said.

Talks over a solution started in January and despite a staff role being discussed, the former France international has now left the club to concentrate on his energy drink brand. His appearance in October as PSG beat Amiens 5-0 in Ligue 1 may well go down as his final game in professional football.

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