Dani Alves: Barcelona star reveals he'd still love to play in the Premier League

Alves was linked with a move to Manchester United last summer

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Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves has revealed he still harbours ambitions to one day play in the Premier League.

The 32-year-old was linked with a move to Manchester United last season with his contract expiring in the summer.

Those rumours came off the back of some poor run of form by Alves, but the star recovered to help Luis Enrique's team win a brilliant treble.

​Alves is back and as good as ever this season, with Barcelona top of La Liga and in pole position in their Champions League tie with Arsenal.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Guardian, however, Alves revealed that the passion of the supporters in the UK is a major reason he wants to play on these shores.

"It’s special: there’s a corner and it’s like it’s a goal," he said of the atmosphere. "I’ve always said that playing in England is something I’ve got pending. I don’t know when but I’d like to play there, to experience in person what I see from the sofa. The way the people live football. Wow, it’s incredible! Full stadiums, living every moment.

"If you’ve left your skin on the pitch, [English] fans respect that," he added. "When you become a supporter, you don’t support them when they win and then not when they don’t. What’s that? That’s no way to understand football. If I’m a fan, I’m a fan always. In England that’s the way. If they don’t win: 'Next time!'. Not: 'this lot are s***'. What? It’s easy to sit on your sofa and say: 'he’s useless'. Go on, see if you can do the same."

Alves burst out laughing when it is suggested to him that former manager Pep Guardiola, who is on his way to Manchester City in the summer, may come calling.

"Ha ha ha! I don’t think he’d call me."