On Saturday evening, on one of L’Equipe’s offshoot TV programmes it was claimed Dani Alves, who had been set to join Manchester City, had instead agreed a deal with PSG and would be going there.
Despite having plenty of time to do so, L’Equipe didn’t include the story in their Sunday newspaper, and they absolutely would if they thought the claim was watertight. Le Parisien did cover the situation, and said Alves was in talks with PSG and currently deciding between the two clubs.
Monday’s edition of L’Equipe does cover Alves to PSG, but rows back several lengths from the original claims. PSG have been in contact with Alves since last summer, when 
the French club chose not pursue talks because the player was being ‘too greedy’, explain L’Equipe.
L’Equipe don’t name the close friend, but then immediately go on to say what good pals Alves is with PSG’s Maxwell, having played with him previously.
Over at Le Parisien the story is covered again in their Monday edition and it’s explained Manchester City are currently waiting to hear from Alves. The Premier League club ‘thought everything was settled’ on a two year deal, and that was supposed to be confirmed last Monday.
Le Perisien say a source close to Manchester City has explained the club still hopes to complete the deal over the next few days. It’s speculated that the PSG chance could be serious, or the French club could be being used to get more money out of City.
Could be a big ruse for Alves to drag his holidays out for another week whilst he decides. Can’t start preseason without a club. 😉
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) July 9, 2017
On Sunday, Sport Witness’ Twitter account speculated if Alves was trying to drag things out simply to get more holiday time. Whilst that was half-joking it was also half-serious, and it’s a possibility not to be ruled out.
Alves hasn’t taken part in an international tournament this summer and would have started preseason training already, or likely be due today, if he had a club.
Instead, Alves got married over the weekend in Ibiza, and it’s unlikely he’ll be waking up this morning wondering where his boots are. Dragging an extra week out of this, as it seems he’s done already, was probably always the plan.
And maybe another few days. If there’s not a great pressure from either Manchester City or PSG, then perhaps make that a week, would 10 days be pushing it?
