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Dani Alves had Liverpool agreement and still harbours Premier League ambition

The iconic Brazilian full-back has revealed that he came close to sealing a switch to Anfield prior to taking in a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona

Dani Alves has revealed that he “pretty much had an agreement with Liverpool” in 2006 and that he still hopes to play in the Premier League.

The Brazilian full-back was a much sought-after talent following a productive stint at Sevilla, with Europe’s top clubs clamouring for his signature.

Liverpool were among those in the mix and came agonisingly close to pulling off a transfer coup, but were left empty-handed and, two years later, Alves joined Barcelona where he spent eight trophy-laden seasons.

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“I pretty much had an agreement with Liverpool,” the bucaneering defender told FourFourTwo.

“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.

“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.”

Alves was once again heavily linked with a move to England over the summer, with Manchester City looking to tie up a deal which would have reunited the 34-year-old with his former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.

French giants Paris Saint-Germain scuppered those plans, though, with a switch to Ligue 1 made once negotiating an exit from Juventus.

Alves 4/1 to lift CL with PSG

Having signed a two-year contract at Parc des Princes, the chances of Alves now gracing the English top-flight appear to be slim, but an iconic figure of the modern era is still open to the challenge.

He added: “I still have this ambition, yes. But I don’t know if it will happen now.

“I think there are plenty of things to do here first with PSG.”

Alves has helped PSG to set the early title pace in Ligue 1 this season, while a 5-0 mauling of Anderlecht in the Champions League on Tuesday has them already guaranteed of a place in the last-16 of Europe’s premier club competition.