The Argentine international could end up costing Sunderland around £8 million.
Sunderland’s chief executive has confirmed that the club will have to wait until March to find out if they will be paying Inter Milan a fee in the region of £8 million for Argentine playmaker Ricardo Alvarez.
Martin Bain is quoted as telling Sky Sports:
“It was meant to last a day – it didn’t, it ran over.
“Submissions are now due in at the beginning of February and then I understand that, by the middle of March, there’ll be a decision by CAS.”
Ricardo Alvarez – Sunderland on the bench
The Sunderland Echo recently reported that the Black Cats have already put aside the £8 million they will have to pay Inter Milan should they lose their legal battle with the Italian club over his apparent permanent transfer fee at the Stadium of Light.
The Argentine international joined Sunderland on loan from Inter Milan in September 2014. He did not have a big impact at the club, struggling with a knee injury and playing just 11 times for Sunderland, scoring once.
Leeds United’s Rodolph Austin (L) in action with Sunderland’s Ricardo Alvarez
But as Sunderland were not relegated Inter Milan claimed the Black Cats were obliged to sign him permanently. Sunderland were however not prepared to do so, due to his injury troubles.
Given that it looks unlikely Sunderland will have vast transfer fees to spend in the January transfer window the news they may be splashing out £8 million on a flop who is now playing for Sampdoria in a few months will not go down well with the Sunderland faithful.
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