Manchester City are reportedly close to completing the deal for Brazil international DaniAlves.


The former Barcelona defender is close to the move to the Etihad this summer after impressing at Juventus upon his Nou Camp exit.

The right back is 34 years but he still has two years to provide Pep Guardiola with top class football. City released Pablo Zabaleta – who has since joined the Hammers as a free agent – and BacarySagna.

City are in line to lure Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur but it would be difficult for Spurs to release such a good player to a rival. Hence, Guardiola wants an experienced leg to hit the ground running while a younger star supports.

The Citizens would be competing in Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and other tournaments so depth is not a luxury. Juve reported want £5 million for Alves – a player the Spanish boss knows too well. They were together at Nou Camp when he arrived for £23 million from Sevilla in 2008. After two Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and two Spanish Cups, both soccer personalities can achieve something similar in England.

There are concerns about the age of the Brazilian especially with the belief that Guardiola want to reduce the average age of the squad. An argument is that he wants some experience and not just youth. A younger player could support while Alves delivers the required.

After all there is David Silva, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany that provide experience and remind the squad of their history with success. The full back would be a plus for the Etihad but there is a lot of work down the hill.