Barca Removes Dani Alves Name From Europa League Squad

Dani Alves (Twitter @barcelona)

JAKARTA - Dani Alves has been left out of Barcelona's squad for the Europa League knockout round as coach Xavi Hernandez has decided to prefer new signings Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Adama Traore.

Quoted from Reuters on Thursday, Xavi was forced to leave one of Barca's four new signings because UEFA rules only allow the addition of three players to the squad after the group stage is complete.

Barcelona will face Napoli in February's last 32 clash which will take place over two legs.

Given that striker Ansu Fati is struggling with injury, Xavi has decided to prioritize his attacking options, while Alves has an alternative at right-back.

Alves, who enjoyed a trophy-laden first season with Barca between 2008-16, reached an agreement last November to rejoin his former club until the end of the season on a free transfer.

He joined Brazilian club Sao Paulo in 2019 after joining Juventus and Paris St Germain, but terminated his contract due to a dispute over unpaid wages.

Torres, Traore, and Aubameyang all joined in the January transfer window.

Torres left Manchester City to join Barcelona for a fee of 55 million euros plus an advertising bonus of 10 million euros.

Speedy's Spain winger Adama Traore joined this week on loan from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the season.

Aubameyang completed his move to Barcelona on a free transfer after ending his contract with Arsenal on Wednesday.