Bartomeu says Barça did not want to get rid of Alves

Bartomeu says Barça did not want to get rid of Alves

Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of FC Barcelona, responded to the words of Dani Alves, who had said that he left Barça "before they got rid of me" during his Juventus presentation.

Bartomeu on Thursday denied that the club wanted to dispense with the player, and said the club had always wanted to renew his contract, but it was Alves who decided to leave.

"Alves was a free agent last season and so we offered him a two-year deal, plus one year optional, in exchange for the release clause being zero. He anted a longer contract, but we only offered two years. 

As he did not sign for any other club, he signed with Barcelona, but with the free release clause. That is what was agreed. We wanted him to stay and last year made him an offer in February to renew, but he took a while to accept", explained Bartomeu.