Dani Alves reveals he was close to joining Liverpool

Joe Williams

Dani Alves has no idea why a transfer to Liverpool didn’t materialise in 2006 after reaching “an agreement” to sign for the Merseyside club.

Liverpool were linked with the Brazilian under Rafa Benitez when he was still at La Liga side Sevilla but Alves claims a move fell through at the final hurdle.

Alves eventually joined Barcelona, while the Reds signed Jermaine Pennant and Alvaro Arbeloa in their pursuit of Premier League glory.

“I pretty much had an agreement with Liverpool. But for whatever reason it didn’t happen at the last moment and I really don’t know why, as I wasn’t the one conducting the negotiations. I had other people representing me back then,” Alves told Four Four Two.

“Something similar happened later in my career with Chelsea and Real Madrid. Of course, it all worked out happily for the Cules [Barcelona supporters] in the end, and also for me as I was able to write an amazing story at the Camp Nou instead.”

You never know what could have been at Anfield but it appears Alves made the right choice as he went on to win six La Ligas, four Copa del Reys and an incredible three Champions League trophies.

He now plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France after a one-year spell at Juventus and he has been reflecting on the reasons for leaving Sevilla.

“I wanted to win things that I unfortunately couldn’t win if I stayed at Sevilla,” Alves added. “We came close, but I don’t like to be just close. Six months before the transfer window opened I’d been told of Barca’s interest, and I said I’d like to play for them because of the fine history of Brazilians there, the greatness of the club and the style of football.

“So it was a successful union and I will always be grateful to Pep Guardiola, [director of football] Txiki Begiristain and [president] Joan Laporta, as they gave me the opportunity to become a big star.”