Alves in Boro medical

It seems Middlesbrough are close to sealing the signing of Brazilian striker Afonso Alves as the Heerenveen man is currently undergoing a medical to complete the £12 million signing.

Southgate told the club's official website: "By being willing to break the club's transfer record, the chairman is showing how much he is prepared to back the club.

"You take chance in signing any player - whether they be Brazilian, Dutch or any other nationality - especially if they are a striker because they will be judged on the goals they score.

"Alves has scored a huge number of goals in Holland and was a regular scorer before that in Sweden too, while he has also been included in the Brazil national team.

"The other big thing, which is obviously important, is that he wants to be here."