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Chelsea are reportedly targeting Dani Alves to become their first signing for the new manager. Villas-Boas was confirmed as Chelsea’s new manager on Wednesday, signing a three-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese coach has already been linked with a number of top players, including Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o and Santos forward Neymar. Alves is odds on to go to Chelsea according to freebetsnow.co.uk – the free bets specialists.

But the Blues’ pursuit of Neymar could be set to fall through according to reports on Spain on Wednesday night which suggested the Brazil international was close to joining Real Madrid (see below).

Barcelona defender Dani Alves has said that he is only concentrating on winning the Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Catalan giants 6-1 aggregate win ensured the club a place in the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition where they are likely to meet rivals Real Madrid.

“We knew that the only way to get through was to focus on tonight’s game and not the result at Camp Nou,” Alves told the press after the match.

“We have won in very difficult conditions and we can now look forward to Real Madrid who already have one foot in the semi-finals.”

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has said that he wants to stay with the Catalan club even though he has not signed a new contract.

Alves’ current deal at Barca runs out at the end of next season and talks are ongoing to extend the Brazil defender’s time in Catalonia.

But weeks on from the initial conversations, an agreement still appears no closer.

In the meantime, Alves has been linked with a big-money summer move to Manchester City, but the former Sevilla star says he cannot imagine playing for any other club than Barca.

“I can’t imagine Alves without Barcelona,” he said.

Barcelona’s offer of a new deal has made Dani Alves happy according to the Brazilian. The right-back met with club president Sandro Rosell last week to discuss the finer points of the new contract set to be offered to Alves.

Rosell said that the Catalan club were ready to meet all the requirements of their player, but he wanted to strike out more mutually acceptable terms before proceeding with the signatures.

“The leadership of the club are trying to find an optimal solution that would satisfy both parties. I hope that the problem will be solved as soon as possible,” Dani Alves was quoted as saying by Sport.es.

Pep Guardiola has revealed that he will not block a potential move for Daniel Alves. I
The Brazilian defender is set to see his contract at Camp Nou expire in the summer of 2012, meaning he will be free to discuss a deal with other clubs in 12 months’ time.

Reigning Primera Liga champions Barac are keen for him to stay put and hope fresh terms can be thrashed out, but appreciate that Alves may opt to take on a new challenge.

Daniel Alves remains a first-team regular under Guardiola, and is a key part of his plans heading forward, but the Barca boss insists he will not stand in the way of any player who wants to move on.

Daniel Alves has said that Lionel Messi’s hat-trick at the weekend proved that he is a worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or. Many have questioned Messi’s victory, but the Argie put the controversy aside to fire home a treble in Barca’s Copa thrashing of Real Betis.

“With today’s match Messi has settled any debate or controversy,” declared Barca fullback Alves.

“Anyone who has won the Ballon d’Or deserves it, but Leo is better than others.”

Alves played down his first-half clash with Gerard Pique.

Alves might be joined by some new faces at the Camp Nou in January, with Anderson and Theo Walcott both tipped to move to las Ramblas soon.

Pep Guardiola is very interested in keeping Dani Alves at the club. The Brazil fullback remains unhappy with Barca’s last offer and is threatening to leave.

El Mundo Deportivo says Rosell is prepared to make an improved contract offer and will schedule talks with Alves’ agent Joaquin Macanás next week

It’s been revealed Manchester United have joined Manchester City and Arsenal in their interest in the Barca contract rebel.

Dani Alves has said that he hates Real Madrid so much that he will not ever play for them. The menacing Brazilian has a contract with the Catalan giants till 2012 but negotiations over a contract extension have hit a brick wall with Alves claiming that the club are not offering him a favourable deal.

His contract impasse with Barcelona has been sounded out around Europe with Eastlands outfit Man City waiting in the wings to snare the former Sevilla defender. Fernando Cavenaghi has been tipped to take his place at Barca.

However, in an interview with TV station Cuatro, Dani Alves has firmly squashed the notion of him jumping ship to his club’s hated enemies.

Daniel Alves says that he is expecting the clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona to be very intense. La Liga’s big guns will do battle in Catalunya in what is one of the most anticipated clashes in recent years, with Los Blancos holding a slender one-point advantage over their rivals at the summit of the Primera Division.

Daniel Alves, speaking after the Blaugrana had eased past Panathinaikos in the Champions League to finish top of their section, was pleased with the win and the performance, but couldn’t help but focus on the challenge that awaits.

He stated: “It was the result that we wanted, we pressed our rival but once we got our goals that task was met and the match was finished. I’m happy to help the team whenever possible.”