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Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has addressed the future of veteran full-back Dani Alves, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

The Brazilian right-back became the first signing of new Blaugrana boss Xavi Hernandez at the Camp Nou, arriving on a free transfer after his contract was cancelled at Sao Paulo.

The 38-year-old returned to the club after five-and-a-half years away and has instantly become an important member of the first-team squad, making five first team appearances.

However, his long-term future at the club came under scrutiny after Xavi reached the decision to exclude him from the club’s Europa League squad.

Alves will celebrate his 39th birthday in May but his energy levels and performances have ensured he is often preferred in the position to Sergino Dest.

Alves signed a temporary contract at the club to cover the second half of the 2021-22 campaign, with a decision then to be taken about his future going forwards.

Reports earlier this week claimed that Barca were keen to extend the contract of the Brazilian by a further year – a deal that would take him up to his 40 th birthday at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

This would also be something that the player was said to be open to, as it would allow him