Can Tavez cause more problems than he has already?

[Tilla]

Tevez ... scored the goal that kept West Ham up. Pic: AFP

League threat to Tevez deal

From correspondents in London
July 06, 2007
MANCHESTER United is on the verge of signing Argentina striker Carlos Tevez from West Ham United, according to reports in England overnight.

But the English Premier League will block the move unless it is satisfied the transfer fee, reportedly £20 million ($47 million), will go to West Ham.
United are believed to have reached an agreement with Tevez and his owner, businessman Kia Joorabchian, to sign the striker next Saturday, when he has finished playing for his country at the Copa America.

Tevez impressed Sir Alex Ferguson with his superb form in the final weeks of last season, which included scoring the winner against United on the final day of the season to keep the Hammers in the top flight.
Ferguson, who has already spent £50 million ($117.5 million) to sign Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani in the close season, has sanctioned a move for Tevez.

Tevez, 23, a guest of fellow Argentinean Gabriel Heinze at United's end-of-season party, is under contract to West Ham for another three years, but the London club may not actually receive a fee if Tevez leaves.
The terms of his controversial move from Corinthians last season are thought to include a clause that gives the majority of any transfer fee to Joorabchian rather than the club.

The Hammers are embroiled in a legal dispute with Joorabchian, who runs the company Media Sports Investment (MSI),
A league spokesman said overnight: "As far as we are concerned any deal to take Carlos Tevez away from West Ham has to be done directly with the club."

The league's stance means that the striker's proposed move to United is far from sealed even if it has agreed a deal in principle with the player's representatives.

One possible avenue would be for West Ham to be paid a transfer fee and then agree a compensation figure with Joorabchian for breaching contracts with his company Media Sports Investments (MSI) when it terminated those agreements following the £5.5 million ($13 million) fine in April for breaching Premier League rules.

It is understood, though, that the league would want a substantial chunk of the transfer fee to remain at West Ham rather than it all be handed over to MSI in compensation, otherwise it could be accused of merely covering up the third-party agreements that has caused so much controversy.

The details of a deal for the 23-year-old are still unclear because any attempt to sign him on some kind of loan arrangement would be fraught with problems.

Tevez is still under contract for three more years with West Ham.
Given the history surrounding the player, United are certain to go through all the paperwork in minute detail to ensure everything meets Premier League rules.

Tevez, who has been linked to several clubs in England, told Argentina newspaper Clarin: "As far as I am aware, I have not received any official offers.

"Once an offer arrives then we will see. But the fact that Real Madrid, Internazionale and Manchester United are interested in me makes me proud."

Agence France-Presse