Boro still want Alves sale

Alves: Talks continue

Middlesbrough remain hopeful that Afonso Alves will complete his move away from the club later this month.

Alves flew to Doha on Monday to talk over his potential move to Al Saad.

Boro had hoped he would have sealed his move before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

But the deadline for Al Saad does not fall for another two weeks, meaning they were in no hurry to finalise matters.

However, Boro coach Steve Agnew confirmed the plan was to still sell Alves.

"The fact that Afonso has travelled all the way to the Middle East shows he'll be keen to do a deal and I'm sure the clubs are," he said.

"As we speak we're still negotiating as far as I'm aware, so watch this space."

Agnew also confirmed that after failing to land the likes of Rob Hulse and Gareth McAuley on deadline day - the club would be looking at possible loans.

"The gaffer did chase one or two players and it didn't quite happen," he said.

"Rob Hulse is a tried and tested Championship player, he can score goals at this level.

"He played 50-odd games for Derby last season and he would have fitted in nicely to everything we do at Middlesbrough Football Club but it wasn't to be, these things happen in football and we have to move on.

"Everything seemed to be moving along nicely and for whatever reason, it didn't quite happen.

"History shows a lot of the successful teams in the Championship have used the loans system very well,

"There is a possibility the loan system can be used, I'm sure that's something that will interest the manager."