Boro tell AZ to look elsewhere

9:36am Thursday 1st May 2008

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MIDDLESBROUGH have advised AZ Alkmaar to direct their claim for compensation over their failed bid to land Afonso Alves to Heerenveen.

AZ have demanded £5.9m from the Brazilian after missing out on his signature in January despite their claims they had a precontract agreement with him.

However, the Teessiders, who smashed their club record transfer fee to take the 27-year-old to the Riverside Stadium, insist the latest development has nothing to do with the player.

A club spokesman said: We believe this is a matter between Heerenveen and AZ and that Afonso should not even be involved.'' Boro's comment came after AZ, who initially took their case to the Dutch Football Association, lodged their claim as the matter went to arbitration with the hearing resuming on May 19.

The club's lawyer, Eric Vile, said: We are claiming this amount of money on the basis of FIFA's rules.'' Boro finally got their man after an almighty wrangle with the Alkmaar club, who were convinced he was their player.

However, having failed to reach a conclusion in their own negotiations to land a man who had scored 34 goals in 31 matches during his first season in Holland, they saw the English club step in push home their interest.

AZ's efforts to persuade the Dutch FA to intervene came to nothing and Alves became a Boro player as the closure of the January transfer window loomed. The South American has taken time to adapt to the Barclays Premier League, but announced his arrival in earnest with both goals in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United earlier this month.