Rumour: Arsenal and Chelsea battling for Barcelona's Brazilian superstar

Premier League pair Arsenal and Chelsea are on high alert following reports that Barcelona are prepared to sell their marauding full-back Dani Alves in the summer, according to the Express.

The Brazilian, who scored against Manchester City in the Champions League, has spent six years at the Nou Camp after a move from fellow La Liga outfit Sevilla and has established himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in world football in recent years.

However, the Catalans are keen to recoup a substantial fee for the defender as he has now entered the final year of his current contract. At 30 years of age he is about to embark on the twilight years of his career and a sale at the end of the current campaign would represent Barcelona’s last chance to command a sizeable fee for his services.

While Alves has been strongly linked with a number of Premier League clubs in the past, the Spaniards are concerned that the player’s substantial wage demands could scupper a potential deal. Excessive wages could ward Gunners boss Arsene Wenger away from an offer, but Chelsea are unlikely to be deterred given the calibre of player in question.

The Brazilian is highly regarded and given his pace, excellent technical ability and vision, could be utilised as a defender or winger given the quick and expansive features of the Premier League game.

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves has a 67% take on success in the Champions League this season.