Alves turns down Chelsea’s offer of protection

Chelsea have underlined their determination to sign Daniel Alves by offering to provide the Brazil defender with protective security during what they hope will be his final days in Seville. Alves was badly shaken by the hostile reception he received from supporters at training yesterday after opting out of Seville’s 2-0 Champions League qualifying win over AEK Athens on Wednesday and is understood to fear for his safety.

Alves antagonised Seville’s passionate fans by organising a press conference at which he pleaded to be allowed to leave, before refusing to play for the club in the Champions League. The 22-year-old has rejected Chelsea’s offer for fear of inflaming the situation further, resolving to keep his head down and continue training as normal in the hope that a deal can be reached between the two clubs as soon as possible.

Chelsea are confident of landing their man before the end of the transfer window, but an agreement was no nearer yesterday after Seville rejected their latest offer. Chelsea are willing to make a £17 million down payment or £19.5 million if the fee is payable over the five years of Alves’s contract. Seville are holding out for £21.5 million or £24.5 million respectively.
“We would like to clarify that we consider the offer from Chelsea way below the expected level,” a Seville spokesman said yesterday.

Real Madrid have withdrawn from the race to sign Alves to focus all their efforts on securing Arjen Robben, the Holland winger, from Chelsea. Ironically, Real claim that they cannot match the wages that Alves will receive at Stamford Bridge but that has not stopped them offering Robben a 50 per cent pay rise that will take his salary up to £100,000 a week. However, Real have yet to meet Chelsea’s £27 million valuation of the player.