Manchester City-linked Alves to leave Juventus by mutual consent
Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta will allow Dani Alves to leave the club by mutual consent as a reported transfer to Manchester City draws nearer.
The Brazilian told the Old Lady he was keen to seek a new challenge, according to accounts on Monday, and is now set to become a free agent, allowing him to control his own fate. It was initially believed City would part with around £5 million to sign him from Turin.
While Pep Guardiola's City is the most prominent name in the race for his signature, Premier League champion Chelsea is also rumoured to be on the hunt as Antonio Conte looks to bulk up his squad for a Champions League return.
"There was no breakdown in our relationship. Motivation is fundamental for a footballer," Marotta told Calcio Mercato on Wednesday, with translation from theScore. "Dani Alves has realised that he wants to try a new experience. We will terminate his contract by mutual consent and wish him all the best."
Alves would likely be enthused at the prospect of reuniting with Guardiola. In a recent article for The Players' Tribune he declared the Spaniard a "genius," after the duo paired up at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 to hoist the Champions League trophy twice, collect three La Liga titles, and win the Copa del Rey two times.
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Alves' status as something of a maverick through his adventurous playing style, sense of fun, and glittering suits seems somewhat at odds with Guardiola's strict, team-based philosophy, but he's credited with showing the utmost professionalism in training and maintaining his condition. At 34, he's proved he's still one of the leading right-backs or right wing-backs in Europe through his performances for Juventus last term - notably after overcoming a serious leg injury.
He'll potentially address a problem area for City following the departures of Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna, with young deputy Pablo Maffeo waiting in the wings. The latest on the well-documented pursuit for Kyle Walker is that Tottenham Hotspur is holding out for at least £45 million for the English international, according to The Sun's Alex Terrell.
At Chelsea, Alves would presumably vault ahead of Victor Moses at right wing-back. The Nigerian was an unlikely comeback story during Chelsea's title triumph last season, after spending the previous three seasons as a bit-part player in loans at Liverpool, Stoke City, and West Ham United.