Dani Alves bids farewell to Juventus as Manchester City move edges closer

Dani Alves has confirmed his departure from Juventus after just one year at the club, but insists that he is not joining Manchester City for the extra money on offer.

It was announced earlier this month that the Brazil international would not take up the option of an additional year in Turin, despite an impressive maiden campaign that ended with the club narrowly missing out on the treble.

Alves is instead widely expected to link up with former manager Pep Guardiola at City, where he will be hoping to match the success of their time together at Barcelona where they won three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

Posting on his official Instagram account on Tuesday evening, the 34-year-old apologised to Juve fans for his abrupt exit and claimed that he is leaving with a heavy heart.

Me gustaría agradecer a todos los TIFOSI DE LA JUVENTUS por el año vivido, A LOS COMPAÑEROS POR ACOGERME Y A LOS PROFESIONALES QUE SON, POR ELLOS QUE ESE CLUB GANA Y LLEGA A FINALES. Creo que mi respecto a ese club y su afición fue minha dedicación, mi entrega, mi pasión y todo mi esfuerzo para hacer de ese club, un club más grande cada día. Pido perdón a los aficionados de la Juventus si algún momento pensaron que hice alguna cosa para ofenderles, nunca jamás tuve esa intención, apenas tengo una forma de vivir las cosas espontáneamente QUE pocos lo entienden... aunque parezca no soy perfecto, pero mi corazón es puro. Hoy finaliza nuestra relación profesional y llevaré conmigo todos los que hacen de verdad y de corazón la Juve un grande club. Como saben yo siempre peco por decir lo que pienso y lo que siento.... yo siento que debo decir gracias al señor MAROTA por la oportunidad que te di de tener um grande profesional e alguien que ama su profesión como el que más.... no juego al fútbol por dinero, juego al fútbol porque amo essa profesión y respecto a los que forman parte de ella. Dejare que tu aproveches lo que he trabajado para que tu hagas muchos años de vacaciones. Yo AMO EL FÚTBOL y dinero jamás va me retener en algún lugar. MUCHAS GRACIAS! #TAMOACTIVOPANITA🤙🏾💣🎬

A post shared by DanialvesD2 My Twitter (@danialves23) on Jun 27, 2017 at 11:42am PDT

"I would like to thank all the Juventus fans for the year I experienced, the teammates for welcoming me like the professionals that they are, for a club that wins and reaches finals," he said. "I think that my respect for this club and its supporters was my dedication, my passion and all the efforts to make this club a greater club every single day.

"I apologise to the Juventus fans if sometimes they thought I had done something to offend them. This was never my intention, I just have a very spontaneous approach to life that few understand... although it appears that I am not perfect, however, my heart is pure. Today ends our professional relationship and I will take with me all of those who with love and true heart make Juve a great club.

"As everyone knows, I always say what I think and feel... I feel that I should say thank you to Mr [Giuseppe] Marotta for the opportunity he gave me, he's a great professional and someone who loves his job like few others. I don't play football for money, I play football because I love the profession and those who are part of it. I leave it up to you to judge what I have done and worked for. I love football and money will never keep me in any place."

Tottenham Hotspur are also understood to have shown an interest in Alves, who featured 33 times in all competitions for Juve last season.