Arsenal are lining up a move for Barcelona wing-back Dani Alves as speculation intensifies linking Bacary Sagna with an exit from the Emirates Stadium, according to Spanish press reports.
Sagna returned to first-team action in November following his second injury lay-off in as many years, both caused by a broken leg, but there has been constant uncertainty surrounding his future.
The Frenchman caused a stir when he publicly criticised Arsenal’s transfer policy in the aftermath of the departures of Robin van Persie and Alex Song over the summer, hinting that he could follow in their footsteps.
“When you see your two best players from last season leave, you ask yourself questions,” he said. “In the street, supporters sometimes come to see me. I can understand that they’re annoyed. I’m like them – I don’t understand everything.”
Sagna added: “In May, I watched Manchester City’s parade on television. I watched [former teammates] Samir [Nasri] and Gael [Clichy] lift the trophy. It makes you want that.”
Sagna has been linked with Italian club Inter Milan and big-spending French side Paris St Germain, and it appears he could be on the move after he made it clear to Arsenal that he is not interested in the one-year extension on offer to his current contract, which expires in 2014.
And according to Spanish newspaper, AS, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has identified Barca’s Alves as the man to replace Sagna should he leave the Emirates Stadium.
Under new Barcelona coach, Tito Vilanova, Brazil full-back Alves is not the indispensible player he once was, and has found himself on the fringes of the first-team, starting just eight Liga games this campaign.
Vilanova has often preferred Martin Montoya and Adriano Correira this season, and it has led to Alves to reportedly consider his Barcelona future.
Wenger is reportedly ready to take advantage of the situation and offer Alves a chance to test himself in the Premier League when the transfer window opens in January.
Alves had the opportunity to move to England in 2010 when Manchester City made an offer to take him to the Etihad Stadium, but he turned it down in favour of staying with Barca.
During his four-years at the Nou Camp, Alves has played an integral role in the club’s three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey’s, and two UEFA Champions League titles.
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