Benfica step up Alves chase

Benfica are leading the chase to land Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves, his agent has confirmed. The misfiring Boro star looks set to leave The Riverside this summer, even if they beat the odds and escape relegation.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.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.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."There is an interest from Benfica, they are negotiating but nothing is agreed," Alves's representative Wagner Augusto told Antenna 1."In fact, there was contact with the player's brother Alex Martins. The president himself met with Martins in early January."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."

Source: SKY_Sports