Reports suggest Alves was shown around the Riverside Stadium at the weekend ahead of a multi-million pound transfer that would smash Boro's transfer record.

The Heerenveen striker has been courted by various clubs across the continent, including Man City and Holland's AZ Alkmaar.

But it is Boro who appear to have leapt to the front of the queue after Alves was impressed with what he saw on offer at the Riverside.

A contract dispute is threatening to de-rail the deal though, with AZ claiming they have signed a pre-contract agreement with Alves, ahead of a £14.9m transfer.

AZ have asked the Dutch courts to intervene and any move to Teesside could hinge on whether the Dutch Football Association can reach a suitable conclusion to the situation.

Meanwhile, Boro have reportedly turned down a move to take England goalkeeper Paul Robinson to the Riverside as part of a deal which would see Stewart Downing moving to Tottenham.

It is thought Robinson's name was mentioned during talks between the two clubs at the weekend, but Boro boss Gareth Southgate is not interested and is happy to stick with Mark Schwarzer between the sticks.

Boro are believed to want £12m from Spurs if they are to let go of one of their prize assets.

Downing's agent Ian Elliott admitted yesterday though that Spurs was a club that appealed to the 23-year-old left-winger.

Elliott said: "They are a great side with a great tradition. They play the type of attacking football Stewart would like to be involved in.

"Stewart's a great professional - he gives everything to Middlesbrough. He's a local lad and if he left it would be with a heavy heart, but sometimes you need to move on."