Former Inter playmaker frozen out of Sunderland training

Ricky Alvarez’s star continues to plummet as the former Inter player was excluded from pre-season training with his Sunderland team-mates.

The talented playmaker is caught in a battle with Inter as the Nerazzurri claim the Black Cats’ Premier League survival triggered an automatic clause approaching €11 million.

On the other hand, Sunderland argue that the winger’s injury and limited playing time provide the club an escape route from making the deal permanent.

Alvarez posted a photo to his official Twitter account of him training alone with the caption “I am training hard waiting for news of my future.”

The 27-year-old Argentine playmaker displayed flashes of brilliance but was largely inconsistent in his four years with the Nerazzurri and moved to England in a deadline day deal last season.

After making only five Premier League starts and 13 overall appearances, Sunderland are seeking to avoid paying Inter and a legal case may be required to rule where Alvarez’s future stands.