Sunderland’s chief executive expects a decision in their dispute with Inter over Ricky Alvarez “by the middle of March”.
The Nerazzurri loaned the player to the Black Cats for the 2014-15 season, with a clause stipulating that the English club would have to buy him for €10.5m if they avoided relegation.
Sunderland did stay in the Premier League, but refused to buy Alvarez, claiming Inter had failed to inform them that he needed knee surgery.
Sunderland’s chief executive expects a decision in their dispute with Inter over Ricky Alvarez “by the middle of March”.
The Nerazzurri loaned the player to the Black Cats for the 2014-15 season, with a clause stipulating that the English club would have to buy him for €10.5m if they avoided relegation.
Sunderland did stay in the Premier League, but refused to buy Alvarez, claiming Inter had failed to inform them that he needed knee surgery.
That led the Beneamata to take legal action, and FIFA sided with the Italian side in their original ruling.
However, Sunderland appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and a ruling has yet to be delivered.
“It was meant to last a day – it didn't, it ran over,” chief executive Martin Bain explained.
“Submissions are now due in at the beginning of February and then I understand that, by the middle of March, there'll be a decision by CAS.”
Alvarez is currently at Sampdoria, having been given special permission to join the Blucerchiati while the case is ongoing.