MADRID (AFP) - Sevilla's much coveted Brazilian defender and captain Daniel Alves said on Monday he wanted to leave the club as soon as possible.

Alves had been thought to be on the verge of signing for Chelsea last season before it fell through and is believed to be a top target for Barcelona.

"I really want to leave now and I hope that everything will be finalised as soon as possible," said Alves.

His hopes of a move to Chelsea last August fell through when the London club refused to meet Sevilla's 40 million euros asking price and opted to sign Brazilian Juliano Belletti from Barcelona for 5.5 million euros instead.