KEITH LAMB has insisted that Middlesbrough’s record buy Afonso Alves was purchased with the full blessing of manager Gareth Southgate.

The chief executive has labelled suggestions that Southgate never wanted the deal to happen as an “urban myth”.

Since Alves arrived from Heerenveen in a £12.7m deal in January last year there have been growing rumours the deal was thrust upon the manager.

And given the way the Brazilian striker conjured up just four goals in Middlesbrough’s dreadful relegation season, such theories have gathered pace on Teesside.

But Lamb was adamant that was not the case, claiming all transfer deals carried out at the Riverside Stadium have always been done with the manager’s backing.

“There is no doubt that myself and Steve Gibson (chairman) sanction every deal that we do both in and out after discussions with Gareth,” said Lamb. “The final decision in terms of football is Gareth’s.

“My role and Steve’s role is to fund it or if it is a sale to get the best deal we can for Middlesbrough.

But nobody has been brought in to this club without the manager’s approval.

“No one has left this club without the manager’s say-so.

That’s been like that for the last 20 years while I have been here. It is an urban myth that Steve Gibson and/or Keith Lamb have been buying or selling players.

“Anyone who knows Gareth Southgate would know he would not stand for someone else making decisions for him.”

Lamb also claimed there were no regrets at boardroom level over “sanctioning the deal” and there is every chance Alves will still be at the club next season.

The only interest in the 28- year-old is from Benfica, and even that is uncertain now that they have had a change of manager.

Benfica are on the verge of confirming former Braga head coach Jorge Jesus will step into the role within the next 48 hours.

While ordinarily that might end any club’s interest in possible transfer targets, sources in Lisbon claim sporting director Rui Costa has been in discussions with Jesus about players.

Benfica remain on the look out for a new forward and the indications are Alves is still among a list of possibilities.

The South American is recovering from a broken bone in his foot but is expected to return to fitness in time for pre-season training.

But Lamb said: “It’s not rocket science. The chances of us selling certain players will be less than others.”

Alves’ poor form last season is likely to mean Middlesbrough will be forced to take a hefty loss on the £12.7m they paid for him. Southgate could indeed gamble on him coming good in the Championship instead of losing out financially.

It remains to be seen which players will leave the Riverside in the coming weeks, although German defender Robert Huth looks increasingly like being one of them.

Huth, the former Chelsea centre-back, is wanted by Hanover and Borussia Moechengladbach, while Birmingham and Fulham have also been credited with an interest.

“I can imagine myself returning to the Bundesliga to play,” Huth said.