Barcelona's honorary president Johan Cruyff believes the club
should consider selling Dani
Alves to Manchester City rather than risk him leaving on a
free.
Alves is a transfer target for City, having so far failed to
agree a new contract with his current club. With the full-back's
present deal set to expire next summer, Barca are increasingly
worried they could lose out on a sizeable transfer fee if he opts
to wind down his contract and depart in the summer of 2012.
The circumstances mirror those of Yaya
Toure, who joined City in a £24 million deal last July despite
still being wanted at the Nou Camp. While accepting Alves makes
Barcelona a better side, Cruyff believes it might be best to sell
the 27-year-old to City soon rather than let him leave for nothing
in 18 months' time.
"Barca are a sensational team with or without Alves. Is it
better to have him with us? Sure," Cruyff said. "City are
interested, though, and it may be better to sell him than wait for
his contract to end next year and leave on a free.
"If he goes, negotiations will be simple. We will say, 'Thanks,
goodbye and good luck'. It's exactly the same as Toure. Coach Pep
Guardiola wants Alves to stay, as he did Toure - but what cannot
be, cannot be."