Barcelona Transfer News: Dani Alves Exit Rumours Continue, Lars Bender Latest

Dani Alves looks increasingly likely to be on his way out of Camp Nou at the end of the season, with the Barcelona right-back hinting as much in an enigmatic Instagram post.

As Inside Spanish Football's Tom Conn reports, the 31-year-old posted a photo of himself on Instagram posing with Barcelona's Brazilian contingent—Adriano, Rafinha, Douglas and Neymar—with a caption suggesting he may not be at the club much longer: 

"

Brazilian family, my pride, to be a part of this quintet makes me happy. If I have to leave, I do so with bravery, with a beautiful smile and happiness in my heart. No matter what happens; I tried to be happy, not perfect.

"

Rumours that Alves will not be offered a new contract when his current deal expires at the season's end have been ongoing, with the Daily Star's Chisanga Malata reporting back in October that Manchester United are keen on signing him up.

Indeed, Alves' ex-wife and agent, Dinorah Santana, confirmed recently that contract talks with Barca are not progressing, per Cadena COPE (h/t Conn):

"

We’re more sad than disappointed with Barca. The club hasn’t approached us at all, while we’ve been waiting for their call. Dani is listening to offers. We’re speaking with teams and gathering information. 

"

Despite Barca's current transfer ban, it's looking as though they will let Alves leave, the attack-minded defender having arrived at the club from Sevilla in 2008.

Whether that is a wise move—considering a lack of depth that may be exposed without Alves—remains to be seen.

United do indeed seem to be leading the way to sign him up, per Joe Short in the Express, and he would bring much-needed experience to a currently youthful back line at Old Trafford.

However, according to Short, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are also keeping tabs on Alves.

Elsewhere, despite their transfer ban—which runs until January 2016—Barca are clearly still on the lookout for potential new recruits, with Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender a reported target, per John Cross in the Mirror.

The 25-year-old defensive midfielder has played a key role for Bayer so far this season, as Bundesliga writer Alex Chaffer indicates, starting 18 league matches and five in the Champions League, per WhoScored.com: 

Barca already seem to have the defensive-midfield role covered with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and 20-year-old Sergi Samper.

However, Cross' report suggests that Bender is a key target for Luis Enrique. He is certainly a quality player, boasting a controlled but combative style of play.

Michael Probst/Associated Press

When their transfer ban is lifted, Barca are likely to be very active in the market, especially with players—such as Alves—coming to the end of their contracts and potentially set to leave.

If Bender is indeed a target, the Camp Nou club will no doubt look to lay the groundwork for his move to be certain of getting their man.