Middlesbrough target Afonso Alves underwent a medical as the Teessiders attempted to push through a club record signing.

The 26-year-old Heerenveen striker is understood to have arrived on Teesside as the two clubs worked to finalise a move which will cost Boro significantly more than the £8.15million they paid Empoli for Massimo Maccarone during the summer of 2002.

However, while agreement is close, there are still details to thrash out before the Brazilian's work permit appeal is heard on Wednesday.

Alves' initial application had to be rejected because he did not fulfil the requirement of having played enough of his country's recent internationals.

However, Boro will argue his quality as a player justifies a permit being granted.

Manager Gareth Southgate has been on the South American's trail for some time, and his club had to remain patient as the Dutch FA ruled on a wrangle between Heerenveen and AZ Alkmaar, the latter club claiming they had signed a pre-contract agreement with the player.

Boro are confident of pushing the deal through ahead of Thursday night's transfer deadline as they reinvest the £7million they received from Tottenham for defender Jonathan Woodgate and more.

After seeing his side beat Wigan 1-0, Southgate said: "He is keen to come.

"He is a player we feel can give us and the town a real lift and give us competition for places in those striking positions."