Dani Alves to leave Barcelona at season end, says agent

FC Barcelona have been hit by the news that Brazilian international rightback Dani Alves will not be renewing his contract and plans to leave the club when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

Alves' agent Dinorah Santana gave the news at a press conference on Friday, reports Xinhua.

"We have not reached an agreement with Barcelona to extend the player's contract which expires on June 30," said Santana, adding that Alves was "sad" about the decision which seems to end the 31-year-old's seven seasons at the Camp Nou.

Santana explained Barcelona had offered the defender a "one year rolling contact with the following year's deal confirmed by the number of games he played".

She said Alves had "hoped for more for the club".

Unless Barcelona can force a rethink between now and the end of the current season, the news is a serious blow to their plans. FIFA already has imposed transfer ban for a year on the club due to irregularities with some transfers in their youth system.

Barcelona have Martin Montoya as an understudy for Alves, although Montoya has shown discontent as his lack of first team opportunities this campaign.

Another Brazilian defender Douglas, who was signed last summer, perhaps with Alves' possible departure in mind, has failed to impress in his first season.

Meanwhile, Santana confirmed that Alves has offers from other clubs and he is likely to move to England this summer.