Dani Alves moves closer to PL after Juventus exit confirmed

Italian champions Juventus have confirmed that Dani Alves has asked to leave the club.

Manchester City and Chelsea are both believed to be interested in signing the 34-year-old this summer, but the former remain favourites due to Pep Guardiola.

Alves is believed to be keen to link up again with Guardiola, who managed him at Barcelona – a coach he has claimed is a “genuis” and City are reportedly preparing a two-year contract.

Alves won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues during Guardiola’s four years in charge at the Camp Nou before leaving for Juventus on a free transfer last summer, despite having 12 months on his Barca deal.

And now Alves’ move to the Premier League has moved a step closer after Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta confirmed Alves has asked for a way out of his two-year contract with the club.

“Dani Alves has decided that he wants to change his surroundings, so we will come to a mutual agreement and we wish him luck,” Marotta told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“There has been no break-up with Dani, but motivation is fundamental for any footballer.”

The Brazilian full-back signed a two-year deal, with an option to extend with Juve last summer after leaving Barcelona.

He struggled initially in Serie A and fractured his fibula in November, which sidelined him for almost two months, but he returned to action at the start of February and went on to make 33 appearances, scoring six goals and collecting seven assists as Juve won the Scudetto before reaching the Champions League final.