Manchester United target Dani Alves: Barcelona chief Carles Rexach 'convinced' full-back will stay

Barcelona assistant director of football Carles Rexach has claimed he is "convinced" Manchester United target Dani Alves will remain at the Camp Nou next season even though the Brazilian international is yet to sign a new contract, with his current one set to expire this summer.

The 31-year-old's future at the Camp Nou has been under scrutiny after earlier in April his agent, Dinorah Santana, revealed the player had rejected the renewal offer made by the Catalans, suggesting he will move somewhere else at the end of the campaign.

"The negotiations are over. Dani will see out his contract at Barcelona in the best possible manner," she said.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain were reportedly taking advantage of the situation to secure his services as a free agent this summer.

With out of favour Rafael expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of the campaign, United manager Louis van Gaal has earmarked the signing of a right-back as a top priority, with Alves among the candidates alongside Southampton sensation Nathaniel Clyne.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is also in the market for a right-back after out of contract Glen Johnson confirmed he is yet to be offered a new deal to remain at Anfield, while Jon Flanagan is injured.

But Spanish radio station Cadena Cope reported earlier in April that Alves's negotiations with Barcelona have had an unexpected twist and, despite his agent's quotes, the player will eventually put pen to paper on a new deal in the coming weeks.

Rexach has refused to confirm the state of the negotiations but claimed he is convinced the player will stay at the club.

"I am one of those that sees him here. I'm convinced Dani Alves will remain at Barcelona," Rexach said, as quoted by AS.

At the same time, even though many reports in Spain have assured manager Luis Enrique will leave the club at the end of the campaign, no matter the results, due to the bad relationship with the players, the Barcelona chief said the boss also will stay.

Rexach said: "He will see out his contract. He is doing a great job; he has achieved the best statistics in the history of the club. What more can we ask for?

"The team couldn't be doing any better, everybody is available, we're playing really well and our rivals have a few problems. If there is any advantage [with injuries etc] then so much the better. The wind is favourable."