Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners to Offer Dani Alves Contract Rumours and More

Arsenal are set to beat Manchester United to the punch and sign Dani Alves from Barcelona, as the Brazilian becomes a free agent.

Simon Osborn of Metro reports Spanish website Fichajes.net as believing Arsene Wenger will offer a deal to the right-back "within weeks."

Alves' current contract expires on June 30, with Osborn saying Alves has "set his heart on a move to London," making a switch to United unlikely.

The Red Devils had been the early favourites to grab the player, but it seems Wenger has stolen a march on his Premier League rivals.

Louis van Gaal had sanctioned a three-year, £100,000 a week wage deal for Alves, per Osborn, so it can be expected Arsenal will have to match or better this.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Alves' agent recently confirmed no offers from Barcelona have been presented to the player, forcing him to look elsewhere.

Hannah Duncan of Metro quoted Dinorah Santana speaking to Cadena SER about her player, saying:

"

They [Barca] 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.

"

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Despite being shown the Camp Nou exit door, Alves has featured heavily for the Blaugrana this season, being a regular in Luis Enrique's side.

The player has made 25 appearances in all competitions, starting 24 of those games, per WhoScored.com.

However, Alves' former team-mate, Eric Abidal, believes the player should strive to stay in La Liga, telling LaPorteria the right-back is still the greatest in world football at his position, per 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."

In other news, Barca have admitted they would like to bring Alexis Sanchez to the club after his heroic performances in an Arsenal shirt.

Jamie Sanderson of Metro quotes the Catalan super-club's new transfer chief, Ariedo Braida, as he waxed lyrical about the Chile superstar to El Mercurio, who has been sensational since moving to the Premier League:

"

I’d like Sanchez at any club I’m at. I know him a lot but I don’t know what reasons the club had to let him go, but now Sanchez is one of the best in the Premier League and is at a top level in world football.

Sanchez is a great player, one of the world’s best in his position. I know him a lot, has an exquisite technique.

"

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

But Gunners fans can breathe a sigh of relief—Barca are currently serving a transfer ban until January 2016, so no bid will be forthcoming if the Catalans wish to purchase the attacker.

If Wenger does move for Alves, it will be an interesting move as the Brazilian is not the most solid entity the Gunners could purchase.

It is questionable if Alves will take to life in the Premier League with the added aggression and speed of the English game.

Wenger needs a more youthful prospect at right-back, although Alves does bring immense experience from the European game with him.

But at £100,000 a week, surely the Gunners can do better than a player past his prime.