Hammers Throw A Spanner

The proposed transfer of Carlos Tevez descended into farce this evening when the player agreed terms on a £60million deal with Manchester United and then was told he is expected to return to pre-season training with West Ham. Earlier in the day the Daily Mail released full details of the deal that could see Tevez join United on an initial £6million two-year loan. If Manchester United then exercise a three-year buy-out option it will cost them a further £35million, and they will then own the player outright. Tevez's wages have been agreed for five years — and United will pay him just under £100,000 a week. Crucially, all transfer monies will be paid directly to owner Kia Joorabchian. The article also states that the Premier League are determined not to sanction the transfer unless West Ham are seen to be exercising their rights as the player's employers, and Hammers tonight refused to play ball with United, demanding that the Old Trafford board negotiate directly for the player.

In a statement on the official site, Eggert Magnusson said: "Carlos Tevez is a registered West Ham player, contracted to the club until June 2010. There is no agreement with West Ham for Carlos Tevez to leave the club and we expect him to return in time for next season's preparations. No decision on his future can be reached without the agreement of West Ham." An hour or so later and Tevez's representatives reiterated that the West Ham United striker had agreed personal terms with Premier League champions Manchester United. Lawyers acting for agent Kia Joorabchian said: "We confirm that Carlos Tevez has, with the knowledge and permission of West Ham United Football Club, been in discussions with other clubs. Subsequently, personal terms have now been agreed with Manchester United Football Club."

The Mail quote 'sources close to the biggest transfer of the summer' who believe West Ham's stance to be a tactic designed to ensure that they receive a cut of the transfer fee and, at the same time, avoid accusations from the Premier League that their declaration of outright ownership of Tevez back in April was false. The same source claims Manchester United are still optimistic that the deal will go through at the start of next week even though officials are privately conceding that they now have a battle on their hands.