Man United close to Alves deal, Liverpool eye Lavezzi

Barcelona defender could be on his way to Old Trafford as soon as January

Dani Alves of Barcelona
(Image credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves is "in advanced talks" with Manchester United about a shock new year move to Old Trafford. According to Metro the 31-year-old veteran defender "has asked to leave Barca" in January and United are closing in on a deal.

United's dodgy defence has added urgency to Louis van Gaal's hunt for a reliable blocker and it seems the Dutchman may have found him in the Brazilian from Barcelona. Liverpool and Chelsea have both been linked to Alves in recent months but Metro claims the South American has "set his heart" on a switch to United.

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Bill Mann is a football correspondent for The Week.co.uk, scouring the world's football press daily for the popular Transfer Talk column.