The Argentine is the subject of a battle between Sunderland and Inter Milan regarding his transfer fee.
Rodolph Austin (L) in action with Sunderland’s Ricardo Alvarez
The Daily Mail has reported on the continued legal battle Sunderland find themselves in regarding payment of a fee for attacking midfielder Ricardo Alvarez.
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.
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.
Ricardo Alvarez – Sunderland on the bench
The Daily Mail is now reporting that both clubs have taken the ordeal to the Centre for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in order to resolve the situation.
Should Sunderland lose their case, they will be obliged to pay Inter Milan £8 million for a player no longer a part of their club.
Picture Supplied by Action Images
After both teams refused to take Alvarez, who has nine caps for Argentina, in the summer of 2015 he spent six months as a de facto free agent and eventually joined Sampdoria in January 2016.
Sunderland will certainly not be wanting to spend such a vast sum of money on a player who will have no impact on their future playing fortunes.
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