BLUES REMAIN SURE OF ALVES ARRIVAL

CITY remain confident of signing Dani Alves despite reports that their deal has been hijacked by Paris St Germain.

The Blues have been in pole position to pick up the former Barcelona ace ever since Juventus agreed to terminate his contract with one year left to run.

But French sports daily L’Equipe has claimed that a series of phone calls to Alves on Saturday had seen PSG leap ahead of the Blues in the race to sign the 34-year-old Brazil international.

That immediately appeared curious – although not impossible - as Alves was getting married on Saturday to his long-time girlfriend Joanna Sanz in a secret ceremony in Ibiza.

The reports from France claimed that PSG had “sold” their club to Alves by making it plain he would be a key figure in their bid for the Champions League next summer. The implication was that Alves might not be quite so influential for the Blues, with Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker remaining a target for City.

But sources close to Alves have said City is his preferred destination, and the Blues have had no indications from Alves’ representatives that he has changed his mind.

Alves has repeatedly said that he wants to play in the Premier League one day, and the chance of linking up again with his old Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola is an added temptation.

City special: Pages 46-48