Pep Guardiola looks set to be handed a significant blow to his summer transfer plans, with news Dani Alves has decided to sign for Paris Saint Germain.
Despite a hugely impressive debut season for Juventus in which he helped them retain the Scudetto and reach the UEFA Champions League final, the Bianconeri agreed to release Alves from his contract earlier this summer, seemingly to facilitate a free transfer to Manchester City.
This would have seen the Brazilian reunited with Guardiola, his former Barcelona coach, for whom he has made no secret of his admiration for. The City boss is thought to want as many as four new fullbacks this summer, so to get one of Alves’ pedigree for nothing would have been a huge tonic.
However, although the 34-year-old had verbally agreed to join City, it is now understood that he has instead been persuaded to head to the French capital. PSG have been in talks with the player, who will earn a higher salary on his two-year contract than he was set for at the Etihad Stadium.
This will come as a bitter blow for Guardiola, who was said to be so confident of signing the former Sevilla man that he was content for him to enjoy his holiday before completing formalities. And that looks to be a costly misjudgement, as his alternative targets won’t come cheap.
England international Kyle Walker has long been linked with a move to the blue half of Manchester, and Guardiola may now double his efforts to sign the 27-year-old. But knowing the predicament Guardiola now faces, Tottenham Hotspur are unlikely to lower their £40million asking price.
