Ian Horrocks
Romano: Inter want damages from Black Cats over Alvarez debacle
Despite offers from San Lorenzo and Velez (his former club, with whom Alvarez he training), Ricky can’t move, at least not until this legal battle is over and done with.
Inter’s position is very clear. The contracts state that Alvarez would be signed by Sunderland (for €10 million) if the Black Cats ensured Premier League survival at the end of the 2014-2015 season, which they did. As this situation has been going on for a while now, the Nerazzurri also intend to ask the Stadium of Light club for damages. The Milanese side is effectively stuck with a player it doesn't want, and can't use anyway.
Sunderland, for their part, have pointed out that Alvarez has such a grave knee injury that it will severely affect his career. According to football lineups.com, he missed a grand total of 122 days last season for the Black Cats, not scoring a single league goal or contributing any assists (though he did score in the FA Cup against Fulham). The Wearsiders hope this is reason enough to not force them to cough up.
“He’s very much injured,” Coach Dick Advocaat said of the former Velez Sarsfield winger after joining the club.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s not positive. “I don’t think we’ll see him again this season.”
It will up to FIFA to arbitrate in the coming months, during which Alvarez will be unable to play. The Nerazzurri are convinced that the question is closed: Ricky Alvarez is no longer an Inter player, and he belongs to Sunderland. For €10 million that is, plus damages.
Fabrizio Romano
translated by Edo Dalmonte
