Man Utd ‘galactico’ project shows no signs of slowing with Alves
Published:Manchester United’s glamorous overhaul shows no signs of abating with reports that Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has already agreed in principle to join the Old Trafford club next summer.
Speculation has been rife that the 31-year-old Brazilian, who is in the final year of his deal at the Camp Nou, would be heading for English shores with Barcelona uninterested in extending his stay.
It was merely a case of which top Premier League club Alves wished to join and it now appears Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils revolution has proved most attractive, ending any hopes of Chelsea and Liverpool in particular.
Alves will provide stiff competition for fellow Brazilian Rafael da Silva for the right-back or right wing-back positions at United, having forged a reputation as arguably the most adept attacking defender in world football over the past five or six years.
Whether or not part of his agreement stipulates Man United will be playing in the Champions League remains to be seen, but the signs are promising under Van Gaal that the mission is achievable.
United currently sit in fourth spot in the Premier League and after signing some stellar names such as Radamel Falcao and British transfer record Angel Di Maria, in attack at least they are spoilt for options.
Van Gaals’ side are odds-on at 8/15 to break back into the top-four slots at the end of his first campaign in charge, though unsurprisingly they are still being linked with a host of defenders.
Alves’ capture is part of addressing that imbalance, though United’s needs are more imminent and there’s every chance at least one more centre-back will join in January.
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