PSG outbids Manchester City, signs Dani Alves on 2-year deal

In a surprise move, Dani Alves is heading to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract. The 34-year-old is out to show he still has what it takes to guide a team to Champions League glory after he put together an excellent campaign at Juventus during the last season.

Alves won two UEFA Cups with Sevilla before moving to Barcelona. During his time at the Camp Nou, he won six league titles and three Champions Leagues, three and two of which came under Guardiola’s instruction. He has also picked up 100 caps for Brazil, one of only six players to reach three figures for the seleção.

Up until this week, it was widely assumed that Alves would be reuniting with his former coach Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. It turns out the primary reason that won’t be happening is money. PSG swooped in to offer Alves £12 million per season, reportedly double City’s initial offer. Once they were informed of the salary Alves could earn at PSG, they were unwilling to match it, and the Brazilian decided to take his talents to Paris.

... even if that generation might be the one before this one. At this peak, the right-hand side of the Camp Nou pitch was his personal fiefdom, from which he dictated play, linked with Lionel Messi, created goals, and even did the occasional spot of defending. When he eventually left Barcelona at the end of 2015-16 he had won everything the club game has to offer, and had an almost indecent amount of fun in the process.

He’s still pretty good, too. Though injury and adjustment meant he started slowly in Turin, he ended the season as first-choice as Juventus won the league and reached the Champions League final. Perhaps his best performance of the season came in the second leg of the semi-final against Monaco: he made Juventus’ first goal, scored the second, and generally ran the show. From right wing-back. At the age of 34.

It’s been generally assumed that Tottenham’s Kyle Walker will begin next season wearing pale blue rather than white. This deal only makes that more likely. Expect Manchester City to stop stalling and meet Spurs’ asking price shortly.

As for Alves’ former club Juventus, they’ve still got the venerable Stephan Lichtsteiner in the squad, though he’s getting on a bit as well. The rumour mill thinks they’ll move for AC Milan fullback Matteo De Sciglio, and who are we to argue with the all-mighty, all-powerful rumour mill? Certainly, it would make sense. All Italians end up at Juventus, if they’re good enough. It’s just how these things go.