Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on James Milner and Dani Alves

This week's latest Arsenal rumours suggest James Milner's potential summer move to the Emirates Stadium hinges on promises regarding first-team football, while Barcelona's Dani Alves could be set to snub the Gunners.

Ex-Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas says Milner will only go to a club where he can feel assured a place in the starting XI. Talking on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), Nicholas noted:

"I think he just wants to play football, he's that sort of lad. He's an intelligent footballer, he's one of those guys that is a real team player. He might just go somewhere he's going to play rather than be a substitute."

Jon Super/Associated Press

Milner's reputation at the Etihad Stadium is solid, and his importance to Manchester City has risen while Yaya Toure was away at this year's Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.

However, the 29-year-old is still to put pen to paper on an extension with the Citizens, and his current contract remains set to expire in June unless he can come to an agreement with the club.

Gunners chief Arsene Wenger is mentioned by Short as one of the managers interested in luring Milner away from Manchester City, where he would provide competition for the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere.

Milner recently starred in a 4-1 win over Stoke City to keep City's title ambitions alive, with David Lynch of the Manchester Evening News detailing the club's supporters as showing their affection for the midfielder:

"

"We want you to stay!" sing the #MCFC fans to James Milner. No kidding!

— David Lynch (@DavidLynchMEN) February 11, 2015"

Bleacher Report's Rob Pollard envisions the former Aston Villa star leaving the club on a free transfer this summer, with Everton's Ross Barkley a possible successor:

His free transfer makes any deal a tempting one, and Milner may feel his first-team hopes are better served at the Emirates, despite the recent rise in renown among Pallegrini's ranks.

Another whose contract will expire in the coming months is Barca's Alves, but Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (h/t Daily Star's Marc Williams) reports the right-back will shun Premier League suitors Arsenal and Manchester United in favour of Paris Saint-Germain.

David Ramos/Getty Images

There, he could link up with fellow Brazilians David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura, Marquinhos and Maxwell, the latter depending on whether he signs an extension in the French capital.

Spanish writer Sergi Dominguez cites newspaper Marca in reporting that Porto defender Danilo is being looked at as a potential replacement for Alves at Camp Nou:

Luis Enrique already has Douglas among his ranks, signed from Sao Paulo last summer, who could come into the side while Barca are still banned from conducting transfers in 2015.

However, Spanish newspaper AS reports Barcelona's new technical committee are still playing with the idea of extending Alves' deal, ruling out any chances of Arsenal or PSG winning his signature.

PSG would undoubtedly be the better-equipped side to meet Alves' salary demands, and the Gunners aren't under any extreme pressure at right-back with Mathieu Debuchy covered by Calum Chambers when both fit.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

That fitness has been the issue this season, however, and after both being signed last summer, Debuchy and Chambers have each gone through their periods out with injury.

Alves would be a much more experienced upgrade on the two, and his wage may not look so daunting given there would be no fee involved to sign the South America.

Nevertheless, Laurent Blanc's PSG side represent some steep competition in the race to lure Alves away from Spain, and Wenger may find his north Londoners can't stand up in the race this summer.