Barcelona begin negotiations for Aleix Vidal and Cedric Soares to prepare for Dani Alves exit

Barcelona has started negotiations with Sevilla's versatile star Aleix Vidal and Sporting Lisbon right-back Cédric Soares as the club prepares for the departure of Manchester United target Dani Alves, reports in Spain claim.

As his contract runs out on 30 June, Alves' future at the Camp Nou has been coming under increasing scrutiny in recent times − with Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and especially Manchester United all reportedly monitoring the situation.

The Catalans have been negotiating to commit him to the club in recent months but, earlier this week, the Brazilian international himself made a press conference to confirm his days at the club look numbered, while also denying an agreement to move to PSG.

"There has been a lot of rubbish written, which I have been forced to put up with, and when push comes to shove, I have to come out and defend myself, and say what I have to say. I am with the team 200% but with the board about 10%. As it is, I have one foot, half a body and almost my head out of the club," Alves said.

And with Barcelona unlikely to improve the conditions of his last offer to the player, Catalan-based newspaper Sport claims the club are already preparing the life without the 32-year-old star.

Sport claims that the Catalans are indeed working to sign both Vidal and Soares – as the other two right-backs in the squad, Martin Montoya and Douglas, are not in Luis Enrique's plans either.

Vidal has been a crucial player in Sevilla's excelling campaign, playing both as a right-back and winger, to help his side to finish fifth in La Liga and winning the Europa League.

The reports claim that Barcelona has identified the versatile Spaniard as the perfect replacement for Alves but are also likely to sign 22-year-old Soares as a prospect for the future.

Sport claims that the negotiations for the two players are in an advanced state but, with the Catalans currently under a transfer embargo, the duo will not arrive at Camp Nou until the January transfer window.