Spanish radio network Cadena Ser claim that Barcelona full-back Dani Alves will join Juventus as a free agent.
We have descended into farce, ladies and gents – The Mascherano rumour was difficult to believe, but hot on its heels comes a report that sounds difficult to believe.
Cadena Ser announced that 33-year-old Alves, who has a deal with Barcelona until 2017, will terminate his contract early to join Juventus.
Goal Italia go on to report that there is an option in Alves’ Barcelona deal that wil allow him to leave the club on a ‘Bosman’ transfer and that Juve are considering a 2-year deal.
Sky Sports have also latched onto the story and Gianluca Di Marzio reports that the Juventus interest in Alves is very real – “Contacts and meetings have already taken place, a two-year option on the table”.
According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Alves has a clause in his contract that would allow him to sign for Juventus, provided the deal is agreed before 5th June 2016.
OJO!! ALVES tenia una claúsula unilateral que firmó de forma que le permite salir gratis, con la fecha límite del 5 de junio #mercato
— Gerard Romero (@gerardromero) May 25, 2016
Not to be outdone, a whole host of Italian journalists, including those from La Stampa and Gazzetta Dello Sport, are also suggesting a deal for Alves is imminent:
#Juve vicina a Dani Alves, che ha contratto fino al 2017 ma che potrebbe liberarsi dal Barcellona
— Massimiliano Nerozzi (@MaxNerozzi) May 25, 2016
Dalla Spagna: “@juventusfc, ecco @DaniAlvesD2: arriverà gratis e firmerà per tre anni” #DaniAlves https://t.co/k7KRVe70lC
— LaGazzettadelloSport (@Gazzetta_it) May 25, 2016
Catalan newspaper l’esportiu are also reporting that Alves has agreed to join Juventus and told his teammates of his decision last weekend.
The agent of Dani Alves (33) confirms he will leave this summer. The player told his teammates on Sunday he’ll join Juventus. [l’esportiu]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) May 25, 2016
AS have also reported a similar headline, reiterating that Alves will leave on a free transfer and will sign a 3-year contract at Juventus.
#ÚLTIMAHORA | Alves se marcha gratis del Barça y firmará tres años con la @juventusfces https://t.co/VuBrLKejTl pic.twitter.com/emnqyXFlcp
— AS (@diarioas) May 25, 2016
And along with Alves will Messi and Suarez join, expressing their long lasting desires to play in Serie A!
And then we wake up and realise it was a bad joke 😛
These are the strangest rumours I have heard in so long! However, Gialuca di Marzio is always reliable so……
Is it April 1st? Are we constructing an OAP reserve team? Web-story click bait must be one of humanities worst failings…..
it’s gone beyond that now – AS, Catalan radio, Catalan newspapers, Goal, Sky Sport italia, La Stampa and Gazzetta Dello Sport are all reporting the story – In spain they’re saying he;s joining juventus.
No idea how much we can believe but if this many agencies are reporting it, there has to be something to it
Yes, looks like it. So he can go before end of 1st week in June on a free. But are we looking for a player like him – older than Lichtsteiner! I don’t understand this thinking. I take it he’s replacing Caceres?
I think the logic is to get a player that :
1.Can replace Cuadrado who would cost us 20m ish
2. Has CL experience
3. Can rotate with Lichty
4. Will cost 0 !
Marotta at work !
We need the Evra-Sandro formula (experience + youth) together in the RB position. Alves is old. Sime!
Danilo from madrid will be a great signing for me
Danilo RB
Sandro LB
the same thing with mascherano joing us, but every1 know it’s a bs, wouldnt mind alves for free though
I hope this to not be true. Alves is a full on dick on the field. He doesn’t have the class to play for Juve.
And he’s 33 years old?! Where’d the ambition go?
I don’t understand the logic.
Wretched news if true. And a definite move away from signing players who display class and dignity in more than merely their football ability. I deeply despise Alves; one of the worst divers, fakers, most undignified players to be found anywhere near the top level.
Hugely experienced, and absent of a transfer fee, yet what the devil would he demand in wages? Surely at least EU4-5m?
i can understand his experience and talent offering great back-up for Lichsteiner, especially as our only challenge is the champions league. Yet it would be preferable to spend 10-15m on De Sciglio, offer him an increase on his 1.5mEu salaray at AC and have him develop as part of our growing squad.
Only Suarez inspires a more seething rancour to rise up and dominate my crimson rivers…If true, this may represent the first time in my life when I will find it awkward to support a player in our own colours.
When the Mascherano news came out this morning, my initial thought was just “why”? When this news of Dani Alves came out a few hours later, my initial thought was just “no”.
As you very rightly say TGP, footballing ability alone doesn’t justify a player’s inclusion into our team. Class and dignity on and off the pitch are also paramount, which is why management probably didn’t try harder to keep Vidal, and Caceres will be leaving shortly. In my opinion, Dani Alves is much much worse than the two for the reasons you mentioned. This is the first reason I don’t want this to happen.
Secondly, as a player now, he is only going to be in decline. 33 years old and heavily reliant on his speed, he is highly likely to get caught out in defence, and I don’t believe his attacking prowess will make up for it (although Lichtsteiner should ask for a few tips if he can). I know Evra is 35 and performs to a high standard still, but he is more defence minded than Dani Alves so is less likely to get caught out of position (though he should also ask for crossing tips from Alves).
Thirdly, his wages would be high for our standards. If he got paid more than Pogba upon arrival, I feel it is sending the wrong message to the players who are already at the club. A player who is past his prime comes to our club and is immediately given a high salary based on past performances. That’s what Milan did for quite a while, and look where they are now. This club always looks forward.
And finally, I thought we were looking to replace Lichtsteiner with a RB who could play for us in the future? Then to go out and buy a player who is older than him…….I’ll need to sleep on this.
Vrsaljko is still my preferred signing for the RB position because of his current ability which will only increase over the next several years, but as you say TGP, De Sciglio can do a job. He looked very good in the Coppa final, and for 10M he can prove to be a huge bargain. He is probably more suited to playing on the right hand side of defence, is Italian of course and only 23. Allegri knows him very well, and reportedly told him he would bring him here very soon.
Again though, only upon official confirmation of any transfer will I begin to seriously predict the ramifications of what has just happened.
Our biggest mistake was to sell Vidal. not an easy player to replace.
Very well delivered, ADP. Nothing I can add to that!
Superb answer ADP, and one that i’m inclined to agree with on all points – My only reason for wanting him at Juve would be this: Beppe Marotta.
Of the transfers Beppe has completed for us, 90% have been superb players that have quickly adapated and become integral to the team.
He’s proved me wrong so many times – I was reluctant on Pirlo, Evra and a few others…..and yet they’ve all paid off.
My own thoughts on Alves – Experienced, has won everything going, a bit of a head case who we’ve often seen the worst of, especially in the Derbies with Real – Has a penchant for a dive, fast, can cross…..i’,m more in favour of his joining than passing on him.
Like you right say, for now it’s just speculation, although Beppe hasn;t denied it in his interview today – Only time will tell.
My biggest concern is the one tha both you and TGP share – Lo Stile Juve – It takes certain types of players to fit in at Juve – Pogba, Dybala and Evra are prime examples – Vidals off the pitch antics caught up with him – same with Caceres as you rightly say – I suspect many people know whats expected of you when you join Juve – Alves will know that he has to tow the line and do whats expected – anything less than that won’t be tolerated.
Why, Oh why?
Christ, what the hell is going on, so many agencies and newspapers reporting this!
I do NOT want this diva in our team. Simple as that. Get De Sciglio!