Dani Alves's Barcelona future slips into incertitude as Premier League elite loom large

Uncertainty: Dani Alves may open talks with foreign clubs over a summer move

Star Dani Alves may depart Barcelona at the end of the season with his future at the club thrown into disrepute. Alves’s contract at the Catalonian outfit expires in the summer and is now permitted to open talks with foreign clubs with a prospective summer move on the agenda.

The development will encourage interested Premier League clubs, the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, who have been closely monitoring the Brazilian right-back’s situation at the Camp Nou.

Alves could adjust seamlessly into Louis Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system at Old Trafford, with reports in Spain suggesting the Dutchman is keen on the 31 year-old. Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger is intent on reinforcing his defence, with Bacary Sagna’s departure leaving a gaping hole at right-back, yet to be convincingly filled by summer recruit Calum Chambers, while Liverpool and Chelsea have too pondered a move.

It comes at an inopportune time for Luis Enrique’s side. On Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Barcelona’s transfer ban, restricting the club from conducting transfer dealings until January 2016.

The incertitude over Alves’s future at the Camp Nou is further exacerbated by the worrying state of the right-back position. Liverpool target Martin Montoya is expected to depart with a move to Juventus believed to be imminent while Douglas has failed to soothe concerns.