Barcelona are ready to improve their 'final' contract offer to Brazil defender Dani Alves in an attempt to ward off interest from Manchester City.
The raiding right back wants to be paid close to the figures earned by the club's best players if he is to sign an extension to his deal, which ends in 2012.
After talks dragging on for months, Alves and Barca are still believed to be a long way apart, while City and Chelsea are monitoring developments.
City can offer the 27-year-old much better terms and prised Yaya Toure from the Nou Camp in the summer, though reports in Catalonia insist Alves's first choice would be to remain at the club.
Barca, who are determined to rein in spending after announcing annual losses and mounting debts in the summer, are reluctant to hand out another mega contract.
But they are exploring ways of topping up the former Sevilla player's salary with incentives in a deal that would satisfy both sides.
Barca hope to conclude talks before the transfer window reopens in January, which will be the optimum time to sell if no agreement seems likely.
Manchester City eye £8m Udinese defender Zapata as rivals United look set to land Leeds teenager Kebbie Pressure, what pressure? Roberto Mancini insists managing Manchester City will never compare to his time with Inter MilanMANCHESTER CITY FC
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail