Should Barcelona Consider Accepting a Bid from China for Dani Alves

Barcelona's Dani Alves continues to give his best for the club he has served with aplomb since 2008 after his transfer from Sevilla.

It would be a strange sight indeed to see the Blaugrana's right side devoid of the marauding Brazilian.

But that is something that the Catalans should start thinking about.

After all, Alves isn't getting any younger, and at 32 years of age, his career is arguably on the downward curve from this point.

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Aleix Vidal has adapted well when called upon and, given time, should hopefully reach the levels Alves managed in his prime.

The question Barca manager Luis Enrique needs to ask himself is whether that time should be sooner rather than later.

Although Alves is giving his best, it hasn't always been for the best of the team.

A few elementary mistakes are creeping into his game, and where once the errors could be counted on one hand, they're beginning to pile up now.

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His lack of pace means he is just that half-yard slower to the ball, and consequently, yellow cards have become a regular occurrence. Being caught out of position has left his colleagues exposed at the back, too.

Aside from all of his on-pitch efforts, it's worth noting he remains a hugely popular figure in the dressing room with new members of the squad and experienced pros alike.

That sort of infectious personality cannot be understated within the confines of a highly pressurised sporting environment.

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However, now could be the right time for Barcelona to consider selling and the player to consider moving on.

Per Mundo Deportivo (via Adam Shergold for MailOnline), an unnamed Chinese Super League club has offered Alves a whopping £9.2 million-per-year contract.

No transfer fee has been mentioned, but given the astronomical sums that are being paid at present, it isn't beyond the realm of possibility to believe the Blaugrana would be heavily remunerated by Alves' sale.

It's perhaps also worth pointing out Alves' disdain of the Spanish media.

Recently on social media, per a Reuters report (via the Guardian), the Brazilian wrote:

"

Truly each day I feel more embarrassed to be a part of this sport, the way we are used and the way they play with us.

We are objects used by the press for their benefit, so they sell newspapers.

Less and less they talk about football, strategy, play, the runs to score goals.

"

He also refused to answer a question from a Radio Marca journalist in a press conference in November, claiming the station and its sister publication favour Real Madrid.

An escape, if you will, to China would see all of that extra pressure dissipate, and the player's welfare has to be a consideration.

The Chinese transfer window closes February 26, so plenty of time to get a deal done remains.

Alves would certainly feel at home in the Far East too, since many Brazilians have made the switch because of the vast riches on offer.

Ramires recently transferred from Chelsea to Jiangsu Suning for £21 million. Paulinho left Tottenham Hotspur for Guangzhou Evergrande for £10.5 million last summer.

It's a well-trodden path, with Alex Teixeira, Jo, Ralf, Robinho, Bruninho and Gil also plying their trade in China.

Despite the Chinese Super League not being the most glamorous league in the world, this is likely to be Alves' last chance as a professional to earn the type of money that is being put on the table.

Barca certainly couldn't command as high a transfer fee from a club anywhere else in the world.

Accepting any bid would deny the player a shot at more silverware come the end of this season, but sentiment can't play a part in Barca's thinking.