Robert Fernandez confirms Dani Alves WILL leave Barcelona this summer

Robert Fernandez has confirmed Barcelona right-back Dani Alves has told the club he plans to leave this summer. 

The Brazilian, as revealed by SPORT last week, is expected to sign a three-year deal with Juventus. 

Speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Barça’s sporting director explained the background to Alves’ departure and revealed that the club would have liked to him to stay. 

“He renewed last season in special circumstances because we couldn’t sign players,” Robert said. 

“At that moment it was a logical, normal decision, he’d had a great season. 

“He’s always behaved exquisitely, but now he has decided to leave. It’s a personal decision and nothing more - he’s already communicated to us his decision to leave the club.”

The 33-year-old is allowed to leave Camp Nou for free, something which was written into his new two-year deal deal last June, and Robert explained why that was included in the terms. 

He added: “So that the player is happy, [Barça] sought favourable situations for everyone, and in this case it meant that he could leave for free after one year. In negotiations the club don’t always win. 

“I don’t like that Alves is going, he’s behaved fantastically on and off the pitch, but it is his decision and we have to respect it.”

Pressed on whether the Blaugrana would now sign a new right-back, Robert said he has faith in the players currently available to Luis Enrique.  

“We trust in Aleix Vidal, he’s a Spain international that came after a great season for Sevilla, that’s why we paid the money for him [to play right-back] - and we also have the option of Sergi Roberto,” he said. 

Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin has been linked with the club, but Robert ruled out making a move for him this summer. 

“Bellerin is a magnificent player, but at the moment we don’t plan [to sign him],” he claimed.