The love story between Barcelona and Dani Alves is coming to an end.
Robert Fernandez, Barcelona’s sporting director, has confirmed that the Brazilian right back wants to leave Barcelona this summer.
“I don’t like the idea that Alves is leaving,” Fernandez said during a conference this Thursday. “His performance has been fantastic both on and off the field, but it is his decision to go and we must respect it.”
Not long after that, Alves posted a thank you letter to the fans on his Instagram account, confirming his decision to leave the club.
Rumors put Serie A champions Juventus as Alves’ next destination. Giuseppe Marotta, Juventus director, said to Sky Sports that the negotiations with the Brazilian were going well.
“I can confirm that negotiations with Dani Alves are on the right track,” he said. “We are satisfied. We are very optimistic.”
Dani Alves arrived to Barcelona in July of 2008 when Pep Guardiola became the coach of the team. Alves has won six La Liga titles, three Champions League, and four Copa del Rey titles during his time with Barca.
But since last summer, when his contract ended, rumors sparked about Alves wanting to leave Barcelona. But the team’s officials were able to make him stay another year. This summer they did not have such luck.
Barca already has a replacement for Alves. They signed Aleix Vidal, from Sevilla. He will have big shoes to fill.
Juventus has also been trying to get another Barcelona player, Javier Mascherano, but Fernandez said the Argentinian will stay in Barcelona.
“I don’t have the slightest doubt that Mascherano will stay here,” he said. “He is a vital player.”
