adminBARCELONA. — Dani Alves is leaving FC Barcelona this summer.
The announcement was made yesterday by the club’s first team technical secretary Robert Fernández at his end-of-season conference at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
“This is personal decision that the club has to accept,” said the FCB technical secretary, explaining that the Brazilian extended his contract for one season at the end of last season, thus ensuring cover while the club was unable to bring in new players due to the FIFA suspension, but that the possibility of his departure had already been discussed during those negotiations.
Alves is leaving after eight seasons at FC Barcelona, playing 391 matches, the second highest number for any foreigners, a tally topped only by Leo Messi.
With 23 titles at Barça, plus a further five with previous club Sevilla and three with Brazil, he is one of the most successful players in the history of the game.
Fernández admitted that he was sorry to see the player leave, and did not hold back in his praise for the full-back, but insisted that ultimately “all we can do is respect his decision.” The player is leaving as a free agent, a situation that the technical secretary explained by saying “for players that come here, this is their goal. We are not a club that buys players and sells them on, we are a destination.”
Discussing how Alves’ decision relates to the rest of the squad, Fernández wished to make it clear that “negotiations are not decided by one party alone … You also have to factor in the interests of the player and his agent.”
He also observed that there is fierce competition in the football market right now, and the financial clout of the English Premier League certainly makes operations more difficult.
Fernández discussed a number of other matters at his press conference, including Aleix Vidal, who he admits “was signed with the possibility of Alves leaving in mind.” — FC Barcelona.
Online Reporter