Brazil defender Alves to join Barcelona

Sevilla's Brazil international defender Daniel Alves will join Barcelona for next season, the two clubs said on their websites Tuesday.

Spanish media said Alves's transfer fee was for about 30 million euros for a four-year contract.

He arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday for a pre-transfer medical checkup and could be officially presented by the club on Wednesday.

Sevilla reported his departure on its website, while Barcelona announced his arrival in the eastern Spanish city and quoted him as saying playing for the club is “a dream” and “a very big challenge.”

It would be the third defender signed by Barca for next season after the recent transfers of Spain's Gerard Pique from Manchester United and Uruguay's Martin Caceres from Spanish club Villarreal, while Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta and Frenchman Lilian Thuram have left.

The 25-year-old Alves, an attacking right back who can also play in midfield, almost moved to Chelsea last year.

Last month he had said he wanted to leave Sevilla where he has played since 2002.