Dani Alves spurns Manchester City to join PSG

Paris Saint-Germain completed one of the coups of the summer window Wednesday, beating Manchester City to the signature of marauding right-back Dani Alves.

The 34-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Ligue 1 powerhouse.

The French side offered nearly double the wages City had proposed, with PSG putting forward a package worth £230,000 a week, according to the Guardian's Marcus Christenson, Fabrizio Romano, and Jamie Jackson.

"I'm extremely happy to sign for Paris Saint-Germain," Alves said in a statement. "In recent years, I have been able to gauge the incredible growth of this club, which has become a European football powerhouse. It's very exciting to now be part of this great project.

"In all the clubs where I have played, I have always given my best to help my teams achieve as much as possible. Believe me, I am coming to Paris to win. I know the ambitions of my new club and the expectations of its many fans around the world.

"We're going to share in some great times, I'm certain of that."

PSG swooped in for the eccentric Brazilian despite the advances of Pep Guardiola's City. All signs had indicated Alves would join Guardiola at the Etihad after breaking ties with Juventus and becoming a free agent.

That was largely because Alves - who's called Guardiola a "genius" in the past - has always held the Spanish tactician in great esteem.

But PSG sporting director Antero Henrique, only a month into the job, prepared an enticing-enough package to lure the decorated Alves to Parc des Princes.

He's the club's second signing of the summer, following the arrival of left-back Yuri Berchiche from Real Sociedad.

With Alves certain to start at right-back, Thomas Meunier and Serge Aurier also face a tough battle for minutes.

His leadership skills and vast experience as a three-time Champions League winner will undoubtedly help PSG shake off its continental curse.

The Qatar-backed outfit has failed to break through the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, and suffered a catastrophic defeat to Barcelona in last season's Round of 16.

"I'm delighted and very proud to welcome Daniel Alves to our club," club CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi added. "Daniel has not only been one of the world's best defenders in the last dozen years, he is also a recognised and well-liked figure among football supporters on every continent.

"His rigour and energy will add a lot to our squad, and our fans will love his hunger for victory, which will never stop driving Dani on. By choosing Paris Saint-Germain, Daniel has shown everyone the vitality and attractiveness of our project."