Source: SKY_Sports
Benfica step up Alves chase
Benfica are leading the chase to land Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves, his agent has confirmed.[LNB] The misfiring Boro star looks set to leave The Riverside this summer, even if they beat the odds and escape relegation.[LNB]The club's record signing has failed to live up to the big expectations surrounding him with just ten goals in his 40 league appearances.[LNB]Alves, who had an outstanding goalscoring record in both Sweden and Holland prior to his move to Teesside in 2008, is now set for a move with a number of clubs showing an interest.[LNB]Werder Bremen, Galatasaray, CSKA Moscow, Saturn and AZ Alkmaar - who tried to sign him when Boro did - are all looking at his situation, but it is Benfica who appear most keen to tie up a deal for the Brazilian international.[LNB]"There is an interest from Benfica, they are negotiating but nothing is agreed," Alves's representative Wagner Augusto told Antenna 1.[LNB]"In fact, there was contact with the player's brother Alex Martins. The president himself met with Martins in early January.[LNB]"Benfica is a club that has many fans with an excellent infrastructure and that all contributes to why the player would want to wear the red shirt."[LNB]
