Liverpool transfer news: Reds 'lead the race to sign' Dani Alves after agent plays down Inter move

Brazil and Barcelona right back heavily linked with a move away from Nou Camp

Dani Alves in action for Brazil (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool are rumoured to be leading the race to sign Barcelona and Brazil right back Dani Alves after his agent denied he would move to Inter Milan.

Brendan Rodgers is reportedly interested in the 31-year-old as he seeks a replacement for the inconsistent Glen Johnson.

Earlier this summer, Alves was said to have agreed a big money move to either Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Milan, but neither transfer has gone through.

Now Alves' agent Bibian Weggelaar has stated that Inter have never been in contact, apparently leaving Liverpool as the leaders in the race for his signature.

"We have not had any contact with Inter," Weggelaar told Calciomercato.

"They are a big club but we don’t know anything about it. There has been no contact with them so for us it is difficult to comment."

Earlier this week, Spanish media were linking Liverpool with an offer of around €7m for Alves, who has won 10 major trophies since moving to the Nou Camp in 2008.

Rodgers has been on the lookout for defensive recruitments all summer, with a number of players linked with an arrival on Merseyside. Dejan Lovren is the only defender to have arrived at the club this summer.

Atletico Madrid right back Javier Manquillo is expected to arrive for a medical at Anfield some time this week - the 20-year-old is reported to be joining on a two-year loan deal.

England right back Glen Johnson came in for some heavy criticism from Liverpool fans for his performance against rivals Manchester United last night - after leading 1-0 Liverpool eventually lost 3-1 in Miami.

Some fans posted messages on social media calling for Rodgers to leave the right back in the US after the defeat.