Sunderland still have a FIFA compensation probe hanging over them in their row with Inter Milan regarding Ricky Alvarez.

The Argentine was loaned to Sunderland last season with a clause in the contract making a permanent buy mandatory if the club survived in the Premier League.

Sunderland insist that Inter breached the agreement by stalling over a decision on knee surgery for Alvarez.

"We can confirm that the dispute opposing the club FC Internazionale Milano to the club Sunderland AFC concerning the player Ricardo Alvarez is currently pending with our services," said a FIFA spokesperson.

"Since the investigation is ongoing, we are not in a position to comment on it any further, nor to give an estimation of the timeline. We can confirm that FIFA was contacted by the Argentinian Football Association with respect to the possible registration of the player with one of their affiliated clubs."