Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves is moving to Middlesbrough to escape racist abuse.

The News of the World says the Brazilian striker, 27, is poised to join Boro in a £10million deal if he is granted a work permit.

Alves is keen to leave Heerenveen after a race row.

He was labelled a "little monkey" by fans and refused to attend a club function.

A spokesman for Alves slammed supporters for being "motivated by Nazi hallucinations."