Barcelona could be willing to let Daniel Alves leave for a cut-price fee, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The newspaper, as reported by Football Espana, claims that the Catalan club are eager to relieve themselves of the 31 year-old’s hefty wages.
Last summer, David Villa, who earned a similarly significant income, was sold to Atlético de Madrid for a reported fee of just €2.1 million and it’s suggested Barça could use the same tactic to move on Alves.
Initially, it was expected that he would be sold to Paris Saint-Germain as part of an exchange for defender Marquinhos. That deal, however, failed to materialise and the Ligue 1 side have now signed Serge Aurier from Toulouse.
As yet, it is not clear who else would be interested in Alves, while Barcelona currently only have Martín Montoya as a direct alternative. The Brazilian may prefer to see out the final year of his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer.
Alves has stated in the past that he would like to return to Sevilla, where he won five major honours, but whether they could, or would, put together a deal to sign him remains to be seen.
Should Alves depart Barcelona during this pre-season, it will bring to an end a six year association with the club. The Juazeiro native, who was signed from Sevilla in July 2008 for a fee rising to £30 million, has won 16 major honours and made almost 300 appearances for the Blaugrana.