Inter and Sunderland could end up in a legal battle that may go all the way to FIFA over the future of attacker Ricky Alvarez.
He arrived on Wearside on a season long loan deal last summer with a clause included in the contract obligating the Black Cats to purchase him outright for €10.5 million – provided they retained their Premier League status.
Growing reports in England suggest that, after Dick Advocaat’s arrival helped spur Sunderland on to a late push for salvation which was achieved, the Nerazzurri are willing to take the case to FIFA to arbitrate if Sunderland do not hold up their end of the bargain.
However, the North East club are hopeful that the Argentinean’s injury problems could provide them with a ‘get out clause’ given that consistent knee worries saw him start just five league games, the last of those coming in March against Aston Villa at home.
Alvarez continues to be sidelined through injury and it is believed that he requires surgery which could see him on the treatment table until the start of next season at the earliest.
