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Transfer Rumours

United lead race to Barca defender

Dani AlvesManchester United lead the race to sign Barcelona right-back Dani Alves, as Louis Van Gaal seeks to bolster his defensive options ahead of next season.

The Brazilian, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is expected to play his final game for the Catalan giants on Saturday when Barcelona face Juventus in the Champions League and has attracted interest from a number of clubs, including PSG.

However, according to the Guardian, United are now in pole-position to sign the 32-year-old, who has won five La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, two Uefa Super Cups, the Club World Cup, three Copa del Rey and four Spanish Super Cups since joining Barcelona in 2008.

Alves currently earns £120,000-a-week, a sum United are thought to be comfortable to match or even improve, given that the Brazilian would be available on a free.

At 32, the Barcelona defender does not fit the club’s strategy in terms of signing young players, although Louis Van Gaal is understood to have made him a priority, given Rafael’s injury record has forced the United manager to deploy Antonio Valencia as makeshift right-back last season.

The defensive side of Alves’ game has also been scrutinised since he was first linked with a move to Old Trafford, given the Brazilian has been much more effective going forward than defending throughout his career.

For that reason, United are also considering Everton’s Séamus Coleman and Paris Saint-Germain’s Gregory van der Wiel.