Ronaldo looks to make Dani Alves and Marcelo teammates in ambitious transfer plan

Barcelona legend Dani Alves could team up with former Real Madrid captain Marcelo in an ambitious plan from Real Valladolid president Ronaldo Nazario.

The legendary former Brazil international striker oversaw Valladolid’s promotion back to La Liga after one season in the second tier and is now hopeful of making the two marquee signings, according to Brazilian media outlet UOL Esporte. Both Alves, 39, and Marcelo, 34, are free agents after leaving rival El Clasico teams this summer with both now a ‘personal project’ of Ronaldo’s – who would not have to break the bank to accommodate their wage demands.

Barca did not extend the short-term contract of Alves even though the veteran right-back was hoping to stay at the club for at least the first half of next season to keep his World Cup dream alive, meaning that he is now a free agent and on the lookout for a new club.

The Brazilian right-back became the first signing of Blaugrana boss Xavi Hernandez at the Camp Nou, arriving on a free transfer in January after his contract was cancelled at Sao Paulo last September. Alves returned to the club after five-and-a-half years away earlier this season and has become an important member of the first-team squad, playing 17 matches in the second half of the campaign for the Blaugrana – scoring once.

Alves wants to participate in his fourth World Cup and add to his 122 caps for the Selecao, for whom he has won multiple Copa America tournaments alongside last year’s Olympics Gold medal. But he has never tasted success in the World Cup.

Marcelo said his goodbyes to Real Madrid last month after it was confirmed he was leaving this summer at the end of his contract. The veteran Brazilian has spent 16 years at the Santiago Bernabeu