Why Dani Alves Remaining at Barcelona Is as Good as a World-Class Signing

Dani Alves staying at Barcelona is likely to be one of the most positive aspects of a summer where the Catalans will have to make do with the playing staff they have already in situ.

Thanks to the FIFA-imposed transfer ban, Barca are unable to strengthen further. Or to be more accurate, they can sign players via a loophole in the system but are not able to register them for playing duties until January of 2016.

To that end, keeping hold of the best performing players is a must for the Blaugrana.

After another campaign of high-octane, high-energy performances, together with a continued supply line to Lionel Messi in particular, the Brazilian needs to be offered, and be tied down to, a new contract quickly.

Paul White/Associated Press

Indeed, way back in October in an interview with La Vanguardia, via Jonny Singer of the Daily Mail, Alves considered it a personal challenge to work hard enough to be offered that contract:

"

I've set up more goals for Messi than anyone at Barcelona. That's a fact.

The cross for Messi's goal No 400 for Barça was mine. In Barca's first Club World Cup Leo's winning goal came from my cross. Some people might not like it, but it's there for everyone to see.

I've survived because I know the expectations that there always are here. I always set myself challenges and staying at Barca is a personal challenge of mine.

"

Suggestions that Alves may have been on the move, with England mooted as a possible destination per Sport via Simon Osborn of Metro, appear to be mischief-making at best.

In any event, the Catalans must make Alves' continued employment a priority. Martin Montoya just doesn't have the right ingredients for the position at this point, and per WhoScored.com, Douglas only has played for 73 minutes in the entire season, which says much about how highly he is valued.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Although age will eventually catch up with the Brazilian there really is no one better for the position at this juncture. Take him out of the equation and then there will be a settling-in period for his replacement, which Barca can ill afford.

It wasn't too long ago for example that Juan Cuadrado was being heavily linked with a move from Fiorentina to Camp Nou. Joe Short of the Daily Express was one who reported on an expected €32 million move, which eventually didn't materialise.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

A disastrous start to his Chelsea career has shown that Barca made the correct decision.

And how many other supposed "world class" full-backs are there available that can almost instantly adopt the Barcelona way of playing?

"

"I am proud to take part of this family." - Dani Alves pic.twitter.com/TGeJhLtTrY

— Marie-Anne Afif (@AddictedToBarca) May 17, 2015"

The Blaugrana like their full-backs to essentially play the wing-back role and defensive shortcomings can be catered for as long as the right support is given to the front players.

Given the current situation at the club, this really isn't the time to be accepting of a situation that sees Alves elsewhere at the beginning of next season.

Where is the sense in that?