Valencia vs Barcelona preview - Alves eager for Barca stay

Posted Wednesday, March 02, 2011 by PA

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves believes his future lies at the Nou Camp, despite failing to agree a new contract with the Catalan club.

Alves' current deal at Barca runs out at the end of next season and talks are ongoing to extend the Brazil defender's time in Catalonia.

But weeks on from the initial conversations, an agreement still appears no closer.

In the meantime, Alves has been linked with a big-money summer move to Manchester City, but the former Sevilla star says he cannot imagine playing for any other club than Barca.

"I can't imagine Alves without Barcelona," he said.

"If it were up to me, I would stay. But it doesn't depend (solely) on me, it depends on two parties.

"If there is an agreement, it will be very welcome, but if the contrary happens, life goes on."

Alves admits talks have broken down, but hopes conversations with Barca resume shortly in order to clear up the issue.

"My dream and my desire are to stay here - I hope everything is resolved soon," he said.

"I'm optimistic, but we haven't spoken about the subject again.

"It's not just money; it's other things too."

Alves has helped Barca win eight trophies in his three seasons at the club and could be in line for a ninth in the Primera Division this term after Pep Guardiola's side went seven points clear of fierce rivals Real Madrid at the weekend.

That came about thanks to Madrid's goalless draw at Deportivo La Coruna and Alves believes the bigger the advantage, the better.

"Real Madrid are human and they fail (sometimes)," he said.

"Now we are seven points clear again, but there are a lot more to play for - the bigger distance we have the better."

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho complained this week that Barca are given favourable playing slots in league matches, but Alves has rejected such talk as psychology on the part of the Portuguese.

"Whatever happens, draw or lose, we won't complain about the calendar," he said.

"Excuses don't work here, only work.

"Mourinho is very intelligent because he tries to deflect the attention away from his team and onto himself, but his comments won't destabilise us."

Barca are likely to be without goalkeeper Victor Valdes and captain Carles Puyol for the Primera Division clash at Valencia on Wednesday as the defensive duo make their way back from injury, but Xavi has returned to training and could feature at Mestalla.

Mestalla is the only current top flight ground at which Guardiola has failed to win since taking over at Barca and Valencia winger Joaquin Sanchez says his in-form side are prepared to suffer in Wednesday`s match.

"It's clear that we will suffer like never before because Barcelona are a great team," he said.

"But we will try to impose our game and make sure they don't feel comfortable at Mestalla."

Valencia consolidated third place in the league on Sunday with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao.

That was an eighth win in the last 10 matches for Unai Emery's side, who lost 2-1 at the Nou Camp earlier this season and are 17 points behind Barca after 25 rounds of the Primera Division.

David Albelda and Aritz Aduriz are set to miss out again through injury.