DANI ALVES HAS revealed that he “pretty much had an agreement with Liverpool” in 2006 and that he still hopes to play in the Premier League.
The Brazilian full-back was a much sought-after talent following a productive stint at Sevilla, with Europe’s top clubs clamouring for his signature.
Liverpool were among those in the mix and came agonisingly close to pulling off a transfer coup, but were left empty-handed and, two years later, Alves joined Barcelona where he spent eight trophy-laden seasons.
“I pretty much had an agreement with Liverpool,” the bucaneering defender told FourFourTwo.
“But for whatever reason it didn’t happen at the last moment and I really don’t know why, as I wasn’t the one conducting the negotiations. I had other people representing me back then.
“Something similar happened later in my career with Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Of course, it all worked out happily for the Cules [Barcelona supporters] in the end, and also for me as I was able to write an amazing story at the Camp Nou instead.”
Alves was once again heavily linked with a move to England over the summer, with Manchester City looking to tie up a deal which would have reunited the 34-year-old with his former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.
French giants Paris Saint-Germain scuppered those plans, though, with a switch to Ligue 1 made once negotiating an exit from Juventus.
Having signed a two-year contract at Parc des Princes, the chances of Alves now gracing the English top-flight appear to be slim, but an iconic figure of the modern era is still open to the challenge.
He added: “I still have this ambition, yes. But I don’t know if it will happen now. I think there are plenty of things to do here first with PSG.”
Alves has helped PSG to set the early title pace in Ligue 1 this season, while a 5-0 mauling of Anderlecht in the Champions League on Tuesday has them already guaranteed of a place in the last-16 of Europe’s premier club competition.
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