Barcelona Transfer News: Blaugrana Need to Plan for Dani Alves Exit

Sources claim Dani Alves looks ready to leave Barcelona at the end of the season, and while it's far too early to make any definitive statements about the right-back's future, the Blaugrana need to start planning for all possible scenarios.

Francois Gallardo, the outspoken FIFA agent, claimed Alves already has an agreement with Manchester United when he went on Spanish TV show Neox, per the Daily Express' Ben Jefferson.

Gallardo said: "The player will leave Barcelona next season. He has signed a preliminary agreement with Manchester United."

Now, it's important to point out Gallardo isn't your traditional football insider. This is the same man who went on TV to claim Lionel Messi would join Paris Saint-Germain, via 101greatgoals.com, or said Real Madrid would go after Danny Welbeck, via Sports Witness' Tom Coast:

Making dodgy claims that have very little basis is what Gallardo does. It's his job, and just because he's a "FIFA agent" doesn't make his claims true. In fact, most pundits seem to agree Alves still appears likely to remain with the Catalans.

El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Barcastuff) believe it's what he wants, as does teammate Adriano, via FC Barcelona Fl:

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Dani Alves (31), whose contract expires in June, prefers to stay but is open to offers for in case Barcelona don't renew him. [md]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 16, 2014"

Bleacher Report's Spanish football insider Guillem Balague believes he'll eventually stay as well:

No matter how many pundits and teammates speak their mind, the fact remains that until the 31-year-old signs on the dotted line, no one knows where he'll be playing next season.

The Brazil international is still the Catalans' choice right-back, even if advancing age is slowly starting to take away his effectiveness. Reports of Alves' demise may be exaggerated, but the defender has always relied on his incredible pace and athleticism to be successful.

No matter how you look at it, those assets will suffer with age. Alves has tried to mask some of his flaws by increasing the amount of crosses he plays instead of cutting inside, to the dismay of Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez:

There are reasons Alves is still Barcelona's designated starter at the position, however. He understands the system like no other, has excellent chemistry with forwards Messi and Neymar and is still a very good player. The Blaugrana also don't have any better options.

Fans reacted with mild confusion when they found out the club signed Douglas, a relatively unknown player from Brazil. The 24-year-old will need time to make the transition to the European game—it's far too early to know whether or not he has what it takes to be Alves' eventual replacement.

Martin Montoya was once regarded as the right-back of the future for the Catalans, but Luis Enrique doesn't seem to rate the youngster, as outlined by Sport's Sergio Vera:

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Martin Montoya has once again been left out of the Barcelona squad for Saturday's la Liga match with Eibar. 

The right-back was hoping to pick up more minutes under Luis Enrique than he did last season under Tata Martino, but that has, so far at least, not been the case.

Eibar will be the tenth official match of Barça's season (eight in the league and two in the Champions League) and Montoya's presence has been extremely rare. 

In those 10 games, Montoya has played just 90 minutes, in the game against Athletic Club - apart from that, he has been an unused substitute four times and left out altogether in five matches.

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Most top clubs would address the potential departure of their starting right-back in the transfer market, but Barcelona don't have that luxury. A transfer ban will keep them from making any signings in 2015, and counting on said ban to be overturned on appeal is a dangerous plan.

Whether Alves stays or goes, the Blaugrana need to start preparing for all possible scenarios. The fact he's yet to sign a new contract means there's at least the possibility he plans on moving to a different club, and if that happens, the Catalans need to be prepared.

Replacing his offensive contributions and chemistry with his teammates won't be easy, and counting on the next La Masia starlet to come in and immediately replicate Alves' production would be foolish. Regardless of who the club would choose to replace the veteran, they need to know before it's too late.

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