Manchester United have suffered a huge blow in their ongoing pursuit of signing Dani Alves after the defender signed a new two-year deal at Barcelona.
The Brazil international was an integral part of the Catalan club’s treble winning campaign and even started during the Champions League final against Juventus, which was won by Luis Enrique’s side 3-1 in Berlin.
Alves’ earlier contract was set to expire on 30 June and was linked with a move to Old Trafford, while Italian giants AC Milan’s interest was also confirmed. However, the right-back has committed his future by signing a two-year deal, with an option to extend it by one more year.
“FC Barcelona has announced that Dani Alves has accepted its proposal for the renewal of his contract, which expires on June 30 of this year. The new agreement binding both parties will be for a further two seasons, through to 30 June 2017, with the option of a third additional season,” a statement on Barcelona’s official website read.
Agreement to extend Dani Alves' contract for two further seasons with the option of a third http://t.co/ohPhi1DdtQ pic.twitter.com/SHSVYBcVii
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 9, 2015
The Red Devils were interested in Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne as he has just one year left on his contract at the South Coast club. However, it was earlier reported that Van Gaal has cooled his interest in signing the England international.
United’s arch rivals Liverpool have now joined the chase in securing the services of Clyne as a long-tem replacement for Glen Johnson, whose contract at Anfield expires on 30 June.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager only has the services of Rafael Da Silva as the first choice right back. He has not been preferred by the Dutchman as he has fielded winger Antonio Valencia in that position.
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