Report: Manchester United believe they're in 'pole position' to sign Dani Alves

by
Gustau Nacarino / Reuters

If Dani Alves is the right-back that Louis van Gaal desires, Manchester United are reportedly in a favourable position to sign the 32-year-old.

United are in a "pole position" to sign Alves, according to Jamie Jackson from the Guardian.

Alves publicly voiced his dissatisfaction with Barcelona last week, saying: "I'm 200 percent committed to the team, but to the club not even 10 percent."

The stars appear to be lining up nicely for a potential move, as the Brazilian defender is set to become a free agent this summer and signing a right-back is one of Van Gaal's priorities going into the upcoming transfer window. Furthermore, his reported current salary of roughly £120,000 per week is a figure United would have no trouble matching or improving.

Antonio Valencia was consistently deployed as United's right-back last season, largely because Van Gaal didn't have confidence in Rafael's defensive capabilities. However, Valencia is naturally a right midfielder, and his inclusion in United's backline forced him to play in an unnatural position where he was frequently exposed.

Alves claims he'll announce the decision regarding his future after the Champions League final on June 7, which will see Barcelona attempt to capture the Treble against fellow Treble-seekers Juventus.

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