GARETH Southgate is confident of unveiling Afonso Alves as Middlesbrough's record signing next week after chairman Steve Gibson opened formal transfer negotiations with Heerenveen.

But with Newcastle preparing to lodge a £7m offer for unsettled centre-half Jonathan Woodgate, the Boro boss has insisted the completion of one deal is not dependent on the successful resolution of the other.

With the Dutch FA having ruled that Alves' pre-contract agreement with AZ Alkmaar is null and void, Boro officials have wasted no time in stepping up their negotiations with the Brazilian's current employers, Heerenveen.

Alves agreed personal terms with the Teessiders when he visited the Riverside Stadium 11 days ago, but the deal remains far from settled as Middlesbrough's valuation of the striker is understood to be significantly different to Heerenveen's.

Alkmaar had agreed to pay around 18m Euros (£13.4m) for Alves' services, but Boro's offer is believed to be nearer the £10m mark, a shortfall that Heerenveen are keen to see reduced before the player is released.

Further talks are planned for today, with Alves' desire to join the Teessiders certain to play a prominent role in discussions.

The 26-year-old Brazil international has threatened to go on strike if he is forced to remain in Holland, and it is inconceivable that Alves will still be a Heerenveen player when the transfer window shuts on January 31.

Other European clubs could yet come into the equation, but Boro's willingness to court Alves despite this month's legal wrangling is expected to prove crucial to the outcome of the current round of talks.

"The chances are pretty good," said Southgate. "But we have to get an agreement with Heerenveen and go from there. He's become available within the last 24 hours because the case with Alkmaar has shown no binding contract, but that means he's on the open market so we have to get an agreement.

"He's gone down the route of coming here and we're getting all the right vibes, but we still need to agree a fee. I couldn't give you a time-scale for that, because it's Keith (Lamb) and Steve that are dealing with that side of things.

"Most of the parties are willing and keen to do it, but agreeing a fee with a club is never straight-forward.

"I don't know the exact figure they're asking for, but we're fortunate to have a chairman who finds a way of doing something if he really wants to do it."

Alves could yet be a Middlesbrough player in time for Tuesday's Premier League home game with Wigan, but his fellow Brazilian, Fred, is now unlikely to be moving to Teesside during the current transfer window.

Despite a series of high-profile recent disagreements with his current employers, Lyon, Fred was involved in Wednesday night's 2-0 win over L'Orient and met Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas after the game.

The pair are understood to have patched up their differences, and Fred now looks like remaining at the Stade Gerland until at least the end of the season.

"He's one of the players we're looking at," said Southgate. "But while most deals seem very complicated, that is certainly one of the most complicated around. If I'm honest, it's probably unlikely."

While Southgate remains determined to add to his squad this month, much of this week's transfer speculation has centred around two players edging towards the exit door at the Riverside.

Woodgate's Middlesbrough career could be about to come to an end as Newcastle prepare to lodge a formal offer for his services within the next 48 hours.

The England international has grown increasingly disillusioned with life on Teesside since making a permanent move from Real Madrid in the summer and, after enjoying a successful 18-month spell on Tyneside under Sir Bobby Robson, is hoping to rejoin the Magpies.

Woodgate's frustration peaked this month when Julio Arca was appointed as Middlesbrough's new captain, despite the centrehalf's position as assistant skipper to George Boateng.

Boro officials have noted the defender's inconsistent displays this season with increasing concern, and while he remains an important member of the firstteam squad, resistance would be minimal if the Magpies were to table an acceptable offer.

Woodgate cost £7m when he left the Bernabeu last summer, and a senior Boro source has suggested Newcastle will have to top that figure if they are to prise him from the Riverside.

Downing's future appears less clear-cut as Tottenham's interest is believed to have cooled after a series of inquiries were rebuffed.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has always been the prime mover behind the London club's pursuit of Downing - manager Juande Ramos is understood to be lukewarm - but Levy is reluctant to match Boro's valuation of the England player.

Either way, Southgate insists it is wrong to suggest that either Downing or Woodgate will have to be sacrificed in order to fund the purchase of Alves.

"It's totally separate," said the Boro boss, who also revealed that Gary O'Neil was likely to miss tomorrow's FA Cup fourthround tie at Mansfield Town as he struggles to overcome a virus.

"If anyone leaves, it won't be for financial reasons.

"I'm under no pressure to sell anybody and we haven't had any bids.

"So rather than get involved in hypothetical conversations, let's deal in the facts.

"Once you get a bid it makes it more complicated. But, at the moment, that simply isn't the case."