Barcelona urged to improve contract offer for Dani Alves amid Manchester United interest

Reported Manchester United target Dani Alves wants to stay at Barcelona, but the Catalan giants are yet to make the full back a suitable contract offer.

Alves, 31, will be a free agent at the end of the season when his current deal at the Nou Camp expires and United are reportedly among the clubs to have approached him with an offer of a fresh challenge.

Reports in the Spanish press have suggested the Brazil international is eagerly holding out for a three-year contract extension, but no such offer has been forthcoming from the Barcelona hierarchy.

The club and Alves' agent Dinorah Santana sat down for discussions on Wednesday (8 April). However, Santana insisted Barcelona must improve their offer if they are to have any hope of retaining the player, indicating theirs is the worst on the table.

"Dani wants to stay but Barcelona's proposal is the lowest," Santana told Mundo Deportivo. "We will have to see if Barcelona approve what we spoke about.

"If they bring their offer into line, Dani will stay."

In quotes picked up in another Spanish newspaper, Sport, Santana indicated there would be further talks over an offer.

Alves has maintained he is happy to remain at the club but the ongoing contract impasse could yet see his time in Catalonia come to an end. Despite Barcelona's inability to sign any players until January 2016, they have stalled on agreeing a deal, with Santana insisting the club are making 'Dani look like the baddie in this movie."

Last month, Marca reported the veteran full-back had agreed a three-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, only for him to strongly deny the move.

United meanwhile are thought to have identified a right-back as a priority target ahead of the summer transfer window. Antonio Valencia has been converted into a full time full-back under Louis van Gaal with Rafael da Silva's future at the club in doubt as he continues to be overlooked.

United were linked with a move for 23-year-old full-back Danilo as a long-term solution to the problem, but the Brazilian has since signed a deal with Real Madrid.