Middlesbrough are on the brink of agreeing a record fee for Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves.

The Times says Middlesbrough were close to agreeing a deal to sign Afonso Alves last night that would break their transfer record. The forward was told yesterday by SC Heerenveen that he has no future at the Dutch club because of the disruption he has caused recently.

Middlesbrough first made an approach for the Brazil forward last summer. Personal terms are believed to have been agreed, but AZ Alkmaar may hijack the deal and Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, is tracking other forwards in case the deal collapses.