Sevilla's Alves happy with prospective Barca transfer
SLICE BREAD said
22:02 06/14 2008
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Brazil defender Daniel Alves said he was "happy and very satisfied" at the prospect of joining FC Barcelona from Sevilla.
While the deal has yet to be confirmed, news reports said Barcelona has agreed to pay Sevilla 29.5 million (US$46.4 million) for Alves, which would make him the world's most expensive right back.
In addition, Alves' transfer fee will reportedly be supplemented by up to 6 million (US$9.4 million) in incentives based on Barcelona's achievements over upcoming seasons.
"I'm happy and very satisfied. I'm an ambitious player and I hope that arriving at such an important club will help me win some important things. Let's I hope I can win some titles," Alves told Catalan radio station RAC-1 on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Brazilian would be Barcelona's third most expensive player of all time - behind Dutch winger Marc Overmars and Argentine forward Javier Saviola, who arrived from Arsenal and River Plate in 2000 and 2001 respectively.
"It (the fee) really motivates me because it means that they trust in my work," Alves said.
Alves would be the Catalan club's fourth acquisition since the end of the Spanish league season for a reported total outlay of 65 million (US$102 million).
The team is undergoing a revamp after finishing third in the Spanish league - the club's worst finish in five years - to extend its run without major silverware to two years.
New coach Pep Guardiola, who has replaced Frank Rijkaard, has made the team's defense his priority, with Manchester United central defender Gerard Pique and Uruguay left back Martin Caceres also joining recently.
The Catalan club's other new signing is another Sevilla player, Mali midfielder Seydou Keita.
"When things don't go well, you have to choose the right time to change and they (Barcelona) have seen it that way," Alves said.
Barcelona is expected to recoup its expenditure by offloading several of its top players.
Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta, whose place has been taken by Alves, has already left for AC Milan, while Mexico forward forward Giovani Dos Santos moved to Tottenham this week.
Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto'o may also be allowed to depart.
Alves, who joined Sevilla from Brazilian club Bahia in 2002, came close to leaving Sevilla for Chelsea nearly a year ago before the move broke down over financial details.
A key player in Sevilla's most successful run in its history, Alves helped the southern side win consecutive UEFA Cup titles, the European Supercup, the Spanish Supercup and Copa del Rey in a 15-month spell under coach Juande Ramos, now at Tottenham.
In addition, Alves' transfer fee will reportedly be supplemented by up to 6 million (US$9.4 million) in incentives based on Barcelona's achievements over upcoming seasons.
"I'm happy and very satisfied. I'm an ambitious player and I hope that arriving at such an important club will help me win some important things. Let's I hope I can win some titles," Alves told Catalan radio station RAC-1 on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Brazilian would be Barcelona's third most expensive player of all time - behind Dutch winger Marc Overmars and Argentine forward Javier Saviola, who arrived from Arsenal and River Plate in 2000 and 2001 respectively.
"It (the fee) really motivates me because it means that they trust in my work," Alves said.
Alves would be the Catalan club's fourth acquisition since the end of the Spanish league season for a reported total outlay of 65 million (US$102 million).
The team is undergoing a revamp after finishing third in the Spanish league - the club's worst finish in five years - to extend its run without major silverware to two years.
New coach Pep Guardiola, who has replaced Frank Rijkaard, has made the team's defense his priority, with Manchester United central defender Gerard Pique and Uruguay left back Martin Caceres also joining recently.
The Catalan club's other new signing is another Sevilla player, Mali midfielder Seydou Keita.
"When things don't go well, you have to choose the right time to change and they (Barcelona) have seen it that way," Alves said.
Barcelona is expected to recoup its expenditure by offloading several of its top players.
Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta, whose place has been taken by Alves, has already left for AC Milan, while Mexico forward forward Giovani Dos Santos moved to Tottenham this week.
Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto'o may also be allowed to depart.
Alves, who joined Sevilla from Brazilian club Bahia in 2002, came close to leaving Sevilla for Chelsea nearly a year ago before the move broke down over financial details.
A key player in Sevilla's most successful run in its history, Alves helped the southern side win consecutive UEFA Cup titles, the European Supercup, the Spanish Supercup and Copa del Rey in a 15-month spell under coach Juande Ramos, now at Tottenham.