Manchester United target Dani Alves still wants Barcelona stay, says Bartomeu

Posted Tuesday, May 05, 2015 by Goal.com

The Catalans are not giving up hope that the defender will eventually extend his contract, while they have made it clear Luis Enrique will not leave the club

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu remains confident that Dani Alves will stay at Camp Nou beyond the expiry date of his current deal this summer.

The Brazil international, 31, has so far failed to agree an extension with the Catalan giants and is attracting interest from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, though Goal understands Nathaniel Clyne remains at the top of Louis van Gaal's wishlist and the Ligue 1 champions recently announced the permanent signing of Serge Aurier.

Alves is also understood to have received offers from clubs in MLS and Qatar, but Bartomeu insists negotiations have been re-opened as both parties are looking for a solution.

"Alves is one step closer to staying at Barcelona. We are in talks with his representative over a new deal because he is an important player," Bartomeu told TV3.

"He has to keep fighting and working hard.

"We hope that he will accept our end in the offer and that the club can offer him what he deserves.

"I would rather not talk about the negotiations too much, but Dani is keen to stay at the club and we want him to stay put as well."

Bartomeu then went on to discuss the future of head coach Luis Enrique at the club and was quick to stress that the 44-year-old will not be going anywhere any time soon.

"I cannot imagine Luis Enrique not being here next season," he added.

"We are very happy with what he's been doing this season and with the work of the technical staff in general."