Manchester United Transfer News: Dani Alves Admission Sparks Red Devils Rumours

Dani Alves' agent has admitted her player is now searching for a new club after Barcelona failed to offer the Brazilian new terms at the Camp Nou.

Hannah Duncan of the Metro quotes Dinorah Santana speaking to Cadena SER about the 31-year-old's future, confirming the full-back appears destined to leave the Blaugrana:

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They [Barcelona] haven’t contacted us. I interpret that silence to mean they don’t want Dani Alves, so we will begin searching for a new club.

We won’t wait for Barcelona, they have to take the plunge. Alves has spent seven years here and he has behaved like a professional at all times.

Barcelona have not had a sporting director for a month and Alves is free to negotiate with any club.

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And as highlighted by Santana, Alves can now negotiate with foreign clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement, ensuring the battle for his signature heats up immediately, despite the end of the January transfer window.

Duncan adds Chelsea and Manchester City have been linked with a move for the player, and their interest could now be reignited by the latest news.

Despite the lack of interest from Barca in tying Alves to a new deal, the Brazilian has featured heavily for Luis Enrique during the current campaign.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Alves has played 24 times for Barcelona in all competitions this year, via WhoScored.com, proving himself to be a valuable asset to the squad during a time of transition in the Catalan province.

But despite Santana's comments, Alves has moved quickly to play down any rumours of his leaving Barca, proclaiming his love for the club and adding balance to the debate on where he will play next season, as tweeted by a Barcelona fan site:

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

And Alves' former team-mate, Eric Abidal, believes Barca should offer the player a new deal to stay in La Liga, professing his belief to La Porteria the full-back is still the best in world football in his position, as reported by Dermot Corrigan of ESPNFC: "Alves is the best right-back in the world, and Barca must take advantage of this. If I speak with him, I will tell him to renew his contract."

United certainly need to address their options at right-back, and Alves would be a hugely experienced candidate to offer the position something different.

Rafael has failed to establish himself in the back four after many attempts at Old Trafford, consistently hampered by injury and varying form.

However, Alves might struggle with the pace in England and he would have to adapt his game in order to cope.

As a free transfer, Alves still seems an attractive prospect, but his wages will be astronomical compared with other targets.

A better choice for United would be to pursue Nathaniel Clyne, who has been a long-term target of the Red Devils, according to David McDonnell of the Mirror.

Clyne is rated in the £15 million bracket, and would be a steal if Louis van Gaal could persuade the player to join.

The 23-year-old Clyne has excellent EPL experience compared to Alves and will only improve in the next few seasons as the Brazil international declines.