Manchester City midfielder Elano hopes manager Sven Goran Eriksson can bring his Brazil teammate Afonso Alves to Eastlands in January.

City assistant boss Tord Grip admits talks with Heerenveen for Alves are "at a standstill", but Elano revealed: "I have talked with coach Sven Goran Eriksson about him.

"Alves seems to have a problem with his passport, but I hope that he comes to the United Kingdom."