Citizens set sights on Alves
02 Nov 2007 - 08:06:15
Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Brazilian striker Afonso Alves from Dutch side Heerenveen.
The 26-year-old was the leading marksman in the Eredivisie last season after scoring a club record 34 times and has previously been linked with Middlesbrough.
However, City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has reportedly met with Heerenveen officials to discuss a January transfer believed to be in the region of £12million.
"Obviously the rumour machine concerning Alves has gathered pace and our policy is not to react to rumours," said Heerenveen director Yme Kuiper.
Alves, who has already scored ten times this season, previously played for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil before moving to Europe in 2004 to join Swedish side Malmo.
His tally was helped after he scored an amazing seven goals in one game last month - a 9-0 rout of Eredivisie rivals Heracles.
Alves also recently earned his first caps for the Brazil national side and was a second-half substitute during the 1-1 friendly with England at Wembley in May.