Leading Premier League clubs have been alerted to a breakdown in contract renegotiations between Barcelona and Dani Alves that is expected to see the Brazil international made available for sale this summer.
Alves has been frustrated by Barcelona's refusal to increase their offer of a new annual salary beyond a £4.5million (Dh26.3m) over the course of five face-to-face meetings since July.
Such has been Barca's intransigent approach to negotiations, the player now believes the club intend to cash in on the remaining year of his current contract to fund the summer purchase of Cesc Fabregas.
The Arsenal captain remains Barcelona's principal summer target, but the Catalan club's debts are such that they must sell to raise a percentage of Fabregas's expected £35m fee and cover a basic wage of €7m (Dh35m).
While Alves has been a central part of Pep Guardiola's back-to-back Primera Liga- winning sides, the 27-year-old's sale would be a politically acceptable expediency.
Manchester City expressed an interest in the last window but it is unclear if they will renew their interest in the summer, particularly with Uefa's new financial fair play regulations looming.
Liverpool who have been attempting to find a buyer for Glen Johnson, have also asked to be kept informed about the Brazilian's availability.
"I told Dani how I feel, and I do not want him to stay here while he is unhappy," said Guardiola last week.
"He deserves to ask for what he wants, and the club has the right to give it, or not. I want him to be happy here, or anywhere."
The specs: Volvo XC40
Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
