Strained Relations

Carlos Tevez is keen to leave the club because of differences with manager Alan Curbishley, that's according to an exclusive in today's Observer. Jamie Jackson quotes a club insider as saying: "Tevez likes the club and wants to stay, but he won't while Alan Curbishley is the manager. He hasn't forgotten how he was treated when Curbishley first took over from Alan Pardew. He told Tevez he didn't know what his best position was, treated him indifferently in training, and refused to play him at first." Curbishley did leave the 23-year-old on the bench for his first game in charge, a 1-0 win over Manchester United in December, and it was a further month before he named Tevez in a starting line-up in the Premiership. "If there was a change of manager maybe it would be different," the source added, "but Tevez does not think Curbishley knows what he is doing and that he's a bad manager. He wants to play for someone who can further develop his game. Curbishley recognises now that Tevez saved our season, but it's too late." Tevez, who has won 25 caps for Argentina and played for them in last year's World Cup finals, was the subject of a £31million bid from Inter Milan while at Brazilian club Corinthians in 2005, and it is believed that a similar figure will be demanded for him this summer.

There is, as usual, a liberal smattering of West Ham related stories in the Sunday tabloids. The Star and News of the World both claim that Bobby Zamora's future at the club has been assured by the manager. Zamora had feared he would be part of the summer clear out at West Ham but has been told he is still a part of the club's plans. The News of the World insist that Luke Young will join West Ham this summer, a year after a £5 million move to the club was wrecked by a failed medical. Young will be allowed to leave Charlton for £4 million. The People say that Birmingham have had a £2 million offer for Paul Konchesky turned down, with West Ham holding out for almost double that figure. The Star mention the now familiar story that Derby County are interested in Callum Davenport.