Brazil’s Alves to leave Barca, Neymar to stay
BARCELONA: Brazil international defender Dani Alves has told Barcelona he intends to leave after eight successful seasons but compatriot Neymar will extend his stay, the Spanish champions confirmed on Thursday.
“He ( Alves) has already told us he intends to leave the club,” Barcelona technical director Robert Fernandez said of the player currently in the United States getting ready to contest the Copa America with Brazil.
“We don’t like the fact he’s going. His behaviour on and off the field here has been so exemplary and now he’s decided to go. The decision is his and we will respect that.
“Neyma r wi l l r each an agreement with the club and will stay here for many years to come,” Fernandez added.
Catalan Sports daily Sport claimed on Thursday that Alves had already signed with Italian champions Juventus. Rival daily Mundo Deportivo said however the player was also considering offers from Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain.
Alves, 33, is under contract until June 2017 after signing a two-years extension during 2015 at a period where Barcelona were banned from signing new players.
Neymar, who joined Barcelona in 2013 from Brazil’s Santos in a deal which has haunted all concerned because of alleged hidden payments, is under contract until 2018. — AFP