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With the move for Fabio Borini dragging on, and on, and on, Sunderland have been searching for alternative targets just in case the Italian doesn't return to the Stadium of Light.
After missing out on Eduardo Vargas after the Chilean decided to move to Queens Park Rangers, it appears as if Sunderland have finally found that alternative to Borini with Inter Milan winger Ricky Alvarez set to join the club on loan.
According to reports in Italy, Alvarez will join on a season-long loan for a fee of around £800,000 and the transfer will automatically become a permanent transfer for a fee of around £8.7m should Sunderland avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
Alvarez was very highly rated at Velez Sarsfield before joining Inter Milan in 2011, with the Italian club beating Arsenal to his signature, but despite regularly displaying his talent has struggled for consistency at the San Siro despite scoring 14 goals in 90 games (with another 19 assists) for the club and it looks as if he will finally head to the Premier League to join up with compatriot Santiago Vergini.
The 26-year-old has seven caps for Argentina and was called up to their World Cup squad, with his only goal for his country coming in the World Cup warm up win over Slovenia.
Should he complete his move to Sunderland he will become our eighth signing of the summer after Costel Pantilimon, Billy Jones, Patrick van Aanholt, Jack Rodwell, Jordi Gomez, Will Buckley and Santiago Vergini.
You can check some highlights of the player with the obligatory YouTube video below:
Stay tuned to Roker Report throughout the summer as we keep you up to date with all the transfer news and rumours. Also, feel free to keep in touch with our dedicated Transfer Centre, which you can do by CLICKING HERE.
