Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal caused a shock early on Tuesday morning when they announced the forward’s signing for $4 million, a week after the Clarets stated a medical had been passed by him in Abu Dhabi ahead of inking a three-year deal.

The Arabian Gulf Cup holders reacted to the furore by sending out a 310-word press release. This attempt to absolve themselves of blame focused on reported intransigence to sign off the International Transfer Certificate from the K League Classic outfit, for whom Alves has spent 2016 on loan from Brazilians Panopolense.

But the Magpies rejected this, stating Wahda had failed to agree wages with the ex-Santos starlet.

They said: “There was a problem with Tiago Alves’ individual negotiations with Al Wahda. The recent decision for Alves to pass medical examinations in Abu Dhabi shows there was no problem from Seongnam – this showed an attitude changed with the contract.”

Wahda are scrambling to fill the final slot in their four-player foreign quota, with Hungary captain Balazs Dzsudzsak strongly linked.