Afonso Alves Linked With AZ Alkmaar

voldemort · 12-25-2007, 05:44 PM

Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves has been linked with all manner of moves, but according to a fan website, a "reliable source" claims that the Brazilian will join AZ Alkmaar for 18 million euros in January.

AZfanatics.nl may not be the first place that comes to mind when considering football news, but the site is adamant that the troubled Brazilian will not be moving to the Premiership or the like, but rather 90 minutes down the road from Friesland to North Holland.

He has hit eleven goals this season for the Frisian outfit, but he's made absolutely no secret of wanting out of Heerenveen as soon as possible. The player's agent, meanwhile, has even likened Alves' current condition to that of a slave.

It is thought that the Brazilian earns between 400,000 and 500,000 euros per annum at the Abe Lenstra, but also that he could vastly increase his salary abroad.

A move to Middlesbrough in summer was mooted, only to break down for reasons not fully explained - an 8 million euro bid from the English club may have been deemed insufficient.

Alves was furious with this and other moves not coming to fruition, refusing to take part in an August prizegiving ceremony partially for this season.

Additionally, allegations of racism against him from a (small) segment of the fanbase - and some confirmed message-board posts to that effect - have further soured relations up north, and justifiably so.

So, it's clear he wants to leave. But... AZ?

It would be a very strange move; if not sideways, then certainly just slightly upward. With no disrespect to the DSB-Stadion side, who have shocked some of Europe's more storied names in recent years, they are perhaps not the side that most would have expected a Brazilian international goalscorer to move to.

Yet, it's possible. Perhaps the Alkmaar side have given him a less restrictive contract and/or a wage boost, or at least promised him that they'll listen to further offers.

For now, though, the Eredivisie record-breaker officially remains at Heerenveen. Will this change, and will it be AZ that he goes to? It seems very unlikely...

source:goal.com

12-25-2007, 05:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
voldemort Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8,202	Afonso Alves Linked With AZ Alkmaar Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves has been linked with all manner of moves, but according to a fan website, a "reliable source" claims that the Brazilian will join AZ Alkmaar for 18 million euros in January. AZfanatics.nl may not be the first place that comes to mind when considering football news, but the site is adamant that the troubled Brazilian will not be moving to the Premiership or the like, but rather 90 minutes down the road from Friesland to North Holland. He has hit eleven goals this season for the Frisian outfit, but he's made absolutely no secret of wanting out of Heerenveen as soon as possible. The player's agent, meanwhile, has even likened Alves' current condition to that of a slave. It is thought that the Brazilian earns between 400,000 and 500,000 euros per annum at the Abe Lenstra, but also that he could vastly increase his salary abroad. A move to Middlesbrough in summer was mooted, only to break down for reasons not fully explained - an 8 million euro bid from the English club may have been deemed insufficient. Alves was furious with this and other moves not coming to fruition, refusing to take part in an August prizegiving ceremony partially for this season. Additionally, allegations of racism against him from a (small) segment of the fanbase - and some confirmed message-board posts to that effect - have further soured relations up north, and justifiably so. So, it's clear he wants to leave. But... AZ? It would be a very strange move; if not sideways, then certainly just slightly upward. With no disrespect to the DSB-Stadion side, who have shocked some of Europe's more storied names in recent years, they are perhaps not the side that most would have expected a Brazilian international goalscorer to move to. Yet, it's possible. Perhaps the Alkmaar side have given him a less restrictive contract and/or a wage boost, or at least promised him that they'll listen to further offers. For now, though, the Eredivisie record-breaker officially remains at Heerenveen. Will this change, and will it be AZ that he goes to? It seems very unlikely... source:goal.com