Heerenveen director Yme Kuiper has refused to comment on reports linking the club's star striker Afonso Alves with a move to Manchester City.

The Brazil international is a reported target of City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson with former Heerenveen striker Georgios Samaras being lined up as a possible makeweight in the deal.

But Kuiper was remaining tight-lipped when quizzed on the matter on Thursday.

He told the club's official website: "Obviously the rumour machine concerning Alves has come on at a pace.

"Our policy is that we do not react to rumours and that will remain this way."

Alves, contracted until 2011, joined Heerenveen from Malmo in 2006 and went on to score 34 goals in 31 games in his first season in the Eredivisie.

He missed the start of this season after stating he wanted to leave for a bigger club but has since made his peace with coach Gertjan Verbeek.

He has scored 10 goals in just four games this season, including seven in one game against Heracles Almelo.

It has been reported that City owner Thaksin Shinawatra flew to Amsterdam on Wednesday to open talks with Heerenveen.

It is now claimed that a 20million euros (£13.85million) deal is in place for January, and that Eriksson joined Shinawatra in Holland on Thursday to talk with the player.

City have turned to Alves as they look to bolster their options up front, which are currently very limited.

Summer signing Valeri Bojinov sustained a serious knee injury in his first start for the club in August which has sidelined him until January at the earliest, while fellow new arrival Rolando Bianchi has failed to settle and looks as if he could leave during the transfer window.

Emile Mpenza has been filling in, but Eriksson does not consider him a long-term solution.