ALKMAAR, Jan 11 (SW) - Dutch Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar has requested a speed trial concerning the possible transfer of Brazilian SC Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves.

AZ claims to have a written transfer agreement with Heerenveen, who so far refused to actually allow the move to take place.

The player himself also signed a deal with AZ, which binds him to the team from January 1st of this year.

Well-known AZ manager Louis van Gaal is hopeful about the matter: "With Alves it'll be easier to bridge the gap with the best teams in the Eredivisie.

"It's not good though that we're only talking about Alves now, while we play a game against Ajax on Sunday. We have to win that one," said the former Ajax and Barcelona coach.

Meanwhile, Alves has been linked to several other clubs, namely Manchester City and Middlesbrough. The latter even posted a photo of the forward on their official website earlier this week.