Not if AZ Alkmaar have their way he won’t! South African newspaper The Citizen report that Middlesbrough may have landed their man from Heerenveen after paying an undisclosed fee, yet the striker might be banned from playing in the Premier League this season after Alkmaar’s claim that they have a pre-contract agreement with the striker.
“We have a totally valid contract with Alves and we want to make that clear with FIFA. FIFA will then judge what should happen,” said Alkmaar spokesman Klaas Wilting, who did not rule out legal action.
“The contract we have is clear: Alves must come to Alkmaar,” he added, saying that “you can’t sign two contracts”.”
Fortunately for Boro, the Dutch FA (KVNB) have ruled that the agreement between the player and AZ is invalid because the club have not met certain conditions. Whether this has any mileage remains to be seen, although Gareth Southgate’s men have been woefully lacking in firepower all season.