Brazilian defender Dani Alves will leave Barcelona this summer after spending eight years and making nearly 400 appearances for the Catalan side.
(Image credit: Fox Sports)
Barcelona Technical Director Robert Fernandez commented on the situation the club faces with a number of players potentially leaving the club this summer. The biggest loss to the squad will undoubtedly be Brazilian right-back Dani Alves, who has been an integral part of the team since joining from Sevilla in 2008.
(Read Dani Alves’ open letter to Barcelona fans at ESPN.)
Over the course of eight seasons, the 33-year-old has made a total of 391 appearances for the Catalan side and won countless trophies that include six league titles and three Champions League medals, among many other accolades. According to Madrid-based Marca, his next destination will be Italian side Juventus, who have just won their fifth straight Serie A title.
Nonetheless, the Barcelona’s hierarchy remain confident they have the right players within their squad that can fill the shoes of the soon-to-be departed Alves. Aleix Vidal was signed from Sevilla last year with the intention of replacing the Brazilian right-back, while other players could also complement that position.
“Dani has decided to leave, it’s a personal decision for his. We accept that. I’m not worried about (Marc) Bartra to be honest. It’s true, he’s spoken public about the situation, but I’m not worried,” said the technical director. “The opposite, I would look to do the best for him. I don’t want him to break his links with the club. He’s a fantastic player. Obviously, we will agree that he wants to play and needs to play. But I’m not going to allow him to unlink himself to the club.”
“That’s why we signed Aleix Vidal, we have confidence in him. Let’s not forget that when the singing of Aleix was decided, we were all in agreement,” stressed Fernandez. “He was a player playing for the national team, he put in a fantastic season with Sevilla. We have that option of Sergio Roberto as well.”
The forward has scored 85 goals overall for Barcelona since moving from Santos in 2013
(Image credit: Barca Blaugranes)
Defender Javier Mascherano is also another marquee player that has been doing the rounds in the media about possibly moving to another European club, perhaps as a result of his recent tax troubles in Spain. Fernandez is adamant the Argentine will continue playing for the Catalan club, as they consider him a crucial member of the squad. “We are clear. We will reach an agreement. He is a vital player for us and I don’t have any doubts about whether he will stay.”
The technical director also commented on the situation surrounding other Brazilians at the club. “Adriano has a contract at the moment, I haven’t received any calls, or any kind of message or situation in which he says to me he’s going to leave the club, for the moment. I can’t say anything. Douglas has wanted to play. I think there’s another chance to play, I think we’ll look for a solution. We got two fantastic goalkeepers, and they’re both going to stay.”
A lot of speculation has been surrounding 24-year-old Neymar in recent times, with Manchester United, PSG and even Real Madrid all vying for his signature. However, Fernandez dismissed all rumours by asserting that the forward will stay at Barcelona for “many years.” “Neymar will reach an agreement with the club, and he’ll be here for many years,” Fernandez said, before later adding that a Champions League triumph is their objective for next season. “Winning the Champions League is important of course, and that’s our objective next season. But winning the league and the cup is great as well.”
Online sportsbook Bet365 gives Barcelona favourite odds to win next season’s Champions League 3.75 (11/4), despite the imminent loss of Dani Alves and potentially some other players. Bayern Munich are right behind them 5.00 (4/1) to clinch their sixth European title, while current Champions League winners Real Madrid are surprisingly third favourites 5.50 (9/2) to win their 12th crown.
Man City 13.00 (12/1) PSG 15.00 (14/1) and last season’s runner-ups Atletico Madrid 17.00 (16/1) are all underdogs to win the 2016/17 Champions League, per online sportsbook Bet365. Leicester City will be participating in Europe next season, after being crowned Premier League champions this year. However, their chances of success are minimal 101.00 (100/1).
(For more info about the online sportsbook, check out Betting Herald’s Bet365 Sports Review.)