Bendy Kops It reported a week ago that discussions between Seville's Daniel Alves and Liverpool were "Heating up". (click here for article) Well now it seems the big boys are picking up on it. I've noticed reports coming out from Sky Sports and Goal.com saying the same thing.


Here at Bendy Kops It, we're confident he'll choose Merseyside.
Why?


1. Rafael Benitez: Alves is known to be a fan of the Spanish coach and likes the fact that there are already Spanish players at the club who'll help him "settle in".


2. Liverpool: He's also known to be a fan of the club and has expressed an interest in going there for a while now.


The Facts:


Alves is leaving Seville. That's a given.


Barcelona has first refusal on him.


Barcelona are keen to unload Saviola, a player that Seville are very interested in signing. They have openly stated that they would be happy to look at an Alves/Saviola exchange. Seville are keen on this option.

Saviola has been on loan to Seville this year and he played a big part in their success in the Championship and winning the UEFA Cup. As a part of this agreement, Barcelona were guaranteed the right to talk with Alves first. Sevilla are probably keen on this option because they'd get to to cash in on Alves, while keeping their promise and cash-settling the Saviola-Alves transfer. So far so good. The clubs are in agreement. But nobody's spoken to the player.


So, Barca and Seville can agree all they wany, but if the player insists that he absolutely does not want to join Barcelona, there is nothing that either club can do. They can't force him to go anywhere. These clubs should have made an agreement with Alves when they issued the option - this did not happen.


However, in Alves' contract, he can refuse the move and this is the key point.
If Liverpool make a decent enough offer, Seville can buy Saviola outright and still be quids in.


All that could really stop this from happening would be if Barcelona come up with a financial package that Alves would find it difficult to refuse. This is highly unlikely as it would put him on a higher plane than many of their already established 'superstars'. Rijkaard cannot risk upsetting the applecart to tempt a relatively unknown outsider - especially considering the fact that its relatively well accepted that he doesn't want to go to Barca in the first place.


But the main reason is that my Spanish mate reckons he'll go......


What could stop Alves going to Liverpool?


3 things:

1. As Captain of Brazil's successful U23 team and a star at Seville, Alves won't come cheap. If Rafa finds a suitable alternative, then he'll take him. This is unlikely.
2. Barcelona (or even Milan, for that matter) come up with a fantastic offer. I don't think Barca will for the reasons stated above. Milan haven't been in hte picture so far, but there's nothing to say they won't step in at the last minute and sweep im of his feet. this would be my biggest single concern.

3. Fucking Chelsea get in on the game.


Call it 'tapping up', if you like, but in my opinion, a verbal agreement is already in place, but nothing has been announced yet because of the FIFA rules. Any agreement with the playeris not going to be a problem as he's keen to play at Anfield. THere should also be no problem meeting the financial obligations - which means that it only needs to be 'rubber stamped' by Seville and they are fairly powerless.


The most likely outcome: It seems most likely that Seville will have to give in to the player, upset Barca and sell him to Liverpool and probably compensate Barca by paying more for Saviola. If the player says, "I definetely do not want to join Barca" and he insist that the only club the player he's going to is Liverpool, what choice does the Seville have? Only not selling him at all, which would mean they lose money.
Therefore the smartest and most likely solution is that Liverpool makes an offer that Seville cannot reject, even it means upsetting Barcelona.


And that's why I say he'll go to Liverpool.




Don't underestimate Dani Alves as a player, he's well regarded in Spain and considered one of their best young players.


Though he plays right back at Seville, Benitez wants the versatile 23 year old to fill the problematic right wing role at Liverpool