Barcelona Transfer News: Dani Alves Sparks Liverpool, Manchester United Rumours

Dani Alves has revealed he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season in order to play in the Premier League.

The Brazilian right-back, who has posted six successful years at the Camp Nou since moving from Sevilla, is seemingly readying himself for a new challenge. Marca reported the 31-year-old's comments, which suggested his 13-year association with La Liga is nearly complete.

"Next year I'm moving to England," said Alves. "I'm going to play where the game began. This will be my last season at Barca."

Liverpool and Manchester United are said to be interested in the player, reported by James Phillips of the Metro. The latter side currently have Glen Johnson and Javier Manquillo to choose from at right-back, but Liverpool's defence leaves a lot to be desired right now.

Johnson remains under fire for a string of poor performances, which played a big role in Liverpool failing to win last season's title. His terrible positioning was instrumental in Crystal Palace being able to battle back during the notorious 3-3 draw, an encounter which saw him react angrily to criticism after the final whistle.

The 30-year-old plays a similar game to Alves, who prioritises hitting the byline and delivering crosses over defensive solidarity, so this move could represent a simple switch. Liverpool owner John W. Henry isn't looking to spend massively on old stars, however, as noted back in 2012 when the club was linked to Clint Dempsey.

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"Our ambitions do not lie in cementing a mid-table place with expensive, short-term quick fixes that will only contribute for a couple of years," wrote Henry after Joe Cole received a £100,000-per-week contract during the Tom Hicks and George Gillett era, per Andy Hunter of The Guardian. In this time of UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules, such an approach isn't sustainable.

Alves' general play has dwindled over the past couple of years, but he has enjoyed a decent spell of form under new boss Luis Enrique and still brings a unique confidence to bombing down Barca's right side. He played a key role during Barcelona's recent 6-0 thrashing of Granada, an encounter in which his stunning volleyed assist set up Lionel Messi's 400th career strike.

Although he isn't what he once was, Alves is still Barca's most effective right full-back by far. Douglas' recent performance during the 0-0 draw with Malaga highlighted this. The newly signed Brazilian was nervous in possession, committed petty fouls and didn't have the attacking quality to back up his runs. Alves' return to form couldn't be more timely, per Lee Roden of ESPN FC:

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In the past few weeks the right back has proven that he is still indispensable for the Catalans, even if he is no longer one of the top 10 players in the world. Without him, Barca tend to suffer. Perhaps Alves is only half as good as he was in 2010, perhaps 70 percent, but tellingly, he is still the best option that the Blaugrana have by some distance.

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B/R UK's Sam Tighe doesn't rate the player, however:

Alves could be an excellent fit for Louis van Gaal's Manchester United. The Dutch manager is cramming his squad with world-class players and needs experienced defenders to prop up what is currently a dismal back line.

Rafael is the side's only natural right-back, but he is prone to bouts of poor form and has suffered injury problems of late. Alves could provide genuine cover or competition and wouldn't command a major transfer fee.

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Van Gaal's squad certainly needs additional experience at the back, so imagining Alves as part of a new-look defence is an idea many United fans would surely entertain. Quick fixes wouldn't go amiss at Old Trafford, such is the leakiness of their current back line.

Alves' honesty is refreshing and testament to the character he brings on the pitch. He is one of the world's best when in form and could significantly improve any Premier League defence if given the chance to shine.

Both Liverpool and United would be smart destinations for an individual who has the potential to thrive alongside a new challenge. Alves has largely stagnated at Barca and needs a fresh challenge to ensure his play remains springing with enthusiasm.

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