Sevilla vs Barcelona preview - Alves keen on new deal

Posted Sunday, March 13, 2011 by PA

Manchester City target Dani Alves is determined to sign a new contract at Barcelona.

Alves has been unable to agree a new deal with the Catalan club and admits he is frustrated by Barca's stance during recent negotiations.

"I don't feel the club have bent over backwards to renew my contract - it's a feeling I have," he told local newspaper Sport.

"I just want an agreement to be reached now, or within a few days.

"I don't like the fact there have been so many rumours - I'm as committed to this project as anyone in the squad."

Alves has been a key part of Barca's success under Pep Guardiola, adding a new dimension to the club's attacking play with his dangerous forays down the right flank.

Widely considered to be the best in the world in his position, Alves knows he would be expensive to replace and admits he wants parity with the club's highest earners.

"I won't be a hypocrite - if the club want to replace me it could cost them dear," he said.

"What Dani wants is for the club to value him depending on his importance and influence within the squad.

"If they do that, I'll be delighted and if not, thanks for these years (at the club)."

In the meantime, however, the 27-year-old says he remains fully committed to the Barca cause.

"I will break my back for this team, even if I don't renew," he said.

"It's a dream to form part of this dressing room and whatever is said, written or protested, my name is already written in the history of this club."

Indeed, Alves has won eight major trophies at Barca, having previously won five titles in a highly successful spell at Sevilla.

The defender returns to his former club in a key match for Barca.

The Catalans currently lead fierce rivals Real Madrid by seven points with 11 rounds of the league campaign remaining and Alves believes away wins at Sevilla, Villarreal and in Madrid could seal a third successive Primera Division crown for Guardiola's side.

"Valencia (who Barca beat 1-0 last week) was a big win and Sevilla would be as well," he said.

"Then comes Villarreal and the Bernabeu, and if we win all four we will be close, but there are more games to play as well."

Alves believes this Barcelona side can be considered one of the best teams in history.

"Alongside the Brazil side that won the World Cups in 1958 and 1962, I think we are (the best)," he said.

Those credentials will be put to the test at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium tomorrow, on what will be Guardiola's 1,000th day in charge of the Catalan club.

Barca are still without captain Carles Puyol, who is injured, but Guardiola should have an otherwise full-strength squad available.

Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop and winger Diego Perotti are doubtful, but striker Alvaro Negredo could return from a knock picked up in last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao.

Meanwhile, Brazil striker Luis Fabiano - currently sidelined - looks to have played his last game for the Andalusian club as he is set to seal a move back to his homeland with Sao Paulo.

Sevilla's season has been hugely inconsistent, but club president Jose Maria Del Nido says his side can beat Barca tomorrow.

"Sevilla are capable of beating any rival and we have shown that," he said.

"We have to go out to beat the super-champion in the knowledge that we are up against the best team of all time.

"It will be a vibrant and special match."

Sevilla are currently in eighth, two points behind sixth-placed Espanyol and a further 10 adrift of the Champions League positions.