Reports from Holland claim that Roma have made a late bid to snatch Afonso Alves from under the noses of Middlesbrough.
Claims that Italians are to rival Boro bid
Reports from Holland claim that Roma have made a late bid to snatch Afonso Alves from under the noses of Middlesbrough.
Boro are due at a work-permit hearing on Thursday to see if Alves will be given permission to play in England.
But in the mean-time Boro have yet to agree a fee with Heerenveen - despite the fact they have agreed terms with the player.
Now Roma could be ready to throw a spanner in the works of Boro's potential record deal.
It now remains to be seen whether Boro can get the deal, which has dragged on for a number of days, done or whether Alves may remain in Holland or head elsewhere.
Boro fans are desperate to see a big-name capture this month, as the only deal done so far in January has seen Jonathan Woodgate move to Tottenham.
Ruling
Meanwhile, the KNVB arbitrary commission have ruled that the contract Alves signed with AZ Alkmaar is legal.
Alves signed a deal with AZ last month but the deal did not go through as Heerenveen refused to complete the transfer.
The KNVB ruled against AZ in their previous case against Heereveen, and said they are not obliged to sell him to them.
But now AZ could be due some sort of compensation from Alves, although it is not believed this ruling will hinder the player's hopes of a deadline day move.
