Cuadrado could depend on Dani Alves decision

The re-decorating of Barcelona's squad for next season - goalkeepers aside - remains slow and still has many unknowns. One outstanding question is who will occupy the right side of defence under the guidance of Luis Enrique. 

For months it has seemed as if Barca had one clear objective: to facilitate the exit of Dani Alves and to bring in Juan Guillermo Cuadrado. It's a pair of movements which have long been in the making with the approval of all parties involved.

However that operation is in danger of being aborted. The latest reports from France are that Paris Saint-Germain have withdrawn from any deal involving Dani Alves, which could leave the Brazilian at Barcelona to see out the remaining year on his contract.

That of course has a knock on effect as far as Cuadrado is concerned. If Alves doesn't leave and the Blaugrana don't recieve any money for him, it makes signing the Colombian international difficult.

'LA PARISIEN'

These reports have come from French paper 'La Parisen'. They say that PSG have decided that, at the age of 31, the €10million it would cost to sign Alves is too much. In addition, the player himself would command a large salary. 

It goes on to suggest that the French champions will instead move for AC Milan's Ignazio Abate, a player four year Alves' junior. The Italian full-back is close friend with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the two players share the same agen, Mina Raiola. 

The latest setback coincides with recent statements by Alves saying he plans to stay at Camp Nou and would welcome the signing of Cuadrado.

"If they can sign him," he said about the Fiorentina player, "I would encourage them to do so. Great players are always welcome at Barca and I would be happy with the motivantion a challenge would provide."

Those are not the usual words of a player who is set to abondon a club.

Just because PSG have withdrawn their interest, it doesn't mean there are not other clubs keen on Alves. However the truth is that there are now no real options as few clubs are willing to pay what it takes to sign the Brazilian international.

If he can't find a club, then obviously he will remain at Barca for the next 12 months until his contract expires.