Barcelona planning not to offer contract extension to veteran defender

In a fresh turn of events, Barcelona are reconsidering whether to offer a new contract to veteran defender Dani Alves or not this summer.

The 39-year-old arrived at Barça last November, signing on a free transfer after his contract with Sao Paulo FC had run out. The Brazilian had signed a short-term deal until June 2022 with an eye on playing at the highest level to stay fit for the FIFA World Cup.

Despite his age, the veteran right-back soon embedded himself into Xavi’s team and ended the season with 16 appearances, in which he scored one and set up three more. The number could have been higher had he been registered for the UEFA Europa League.

Alves’ contract stands to expire at the end of this month. There have been speculations that Barcelona will offer him another short-term extension until December 2022, so that he can stay at the club until the World Cup and depart as a free agent in January.

However, as per the latest report from Cadena SER, Barcelona are now considering not offering an extension to Dani Alves at all. Indeed, the Blaugrana are understood to have started planning for the new season without the veteran defender in consideration.

The same information has been reported by Diario AS, with both publications claiming that Dani Alves is unlikely to continue as a Barcelona player beyond next month.

This development comes in light of the club’s well-publicised pursuit of Chelsea defender and captain Cesar Azpilicueta. The 32-year-old is being seen as a direct replacement for Alves and should the Blaugrana sign him, they will have an abundance of choices at right-back.

Sergi Roberto has extended his contract, while Sergino Dest is still at the club, with AS claiming that Xavi has chosen to retain him. On top of that, should Azpilicueta arrive, the position will be overcrowded, which is why Alves could be let go.

Alves is still highly-valued by Barcelona due to the experience, the energy and the intensity he brings to the team. However, if there is a chance that Azpilicueta will arrive in the summer, the Brazilian’s second stint in Catalonia will come to an end.