BARCA OFFER ALVES NEW CONTRACT

Barcelona are set to offer Manchester City target Daniel Alves a contract extension according to reports. The Brazilian remains the record transfer for a defender following his €34 million (£28.3m) switch from Sevilla in the summer of 2008, and has enjoyed a hugely successful spell in Catalunya, winning back-to-back league titles as well as the 2009 Champions League.

Marca comments that new incumbent to the presidency, Sandro Rosell, is looking to tie the 27-year-old to a long-term deal at the Nou Camp, and he is ready to commit himself to the club for the foreseeable future.

Alves is contracted until 2012, but has expressed his desire to remain at the club, and the prospect of a three or even four-year extension is being contemplated by the Barcelona hierarchy.

Manchester City have previously shown an interest in bringing Alves to Eastlands, and Rosell plans to move quickly to immediately expel the attention of the big-spending side.

Once the Primera Division champions pull together a suitable deal for club and player, it is thought that Alves will deflect interest from elsewhere and commit himself to Barcelona.