http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/
Manchester United are expected to open formal talks with representatives of Carlos Tévez this week as they seek to tie up a permanent deal for the Argentina forward. The prospective fee - £35 million - could break the British transfer record.
Tévez has been concerned that United have not begun negotiations over an extension to his two-year loan arrangement, which runs until next summer, and the Old Trafford hierarchy want to address the situation.
Tévez moved to Old Trafford after a complex transfer from West Ham United last summer, when United agreed to pay a loan fee of £5 million per season to companies that own the player’s economic rights, with the option to sign him permanently for a further three years. His representatives are likely to discuss selling outright for a fee of up to £35 million this summer - cancelling the second loan payment - but that figure is higher than United would have expected.
David Gill, the United chief executive, said last week that he would not risk losing him at the end of the season and a source close to the player said: “A number of clubs are interested in him, but his heart is with United and he wants to stay for a long time.”
Tévez scored 19 goals in 48 appearances in his first season at Old Trafford last term. A fee in excess of £30 million for him would eclipse the transfer record set when Chelsea signed Andriy Shevchenko two years ago, breaking a previous best set by United when they signed Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United for £29.1 million in 2002.
Tévez’s move may not become a permanent transfer until January or next summer, to avoid a dent in United’s transfer budget. Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, wants to sign Dimitar Berbatov and is unperturbed by Tottenham Hotspur’s complaint to the Premier League about the pursuit of the Bulgaria forward, who is likely to cost about £28 million.
Manchester United are expected to open formal talks with representatives of Carlos Tévez this week as they seek to tie up a permanent deal for the Argentina forward. The prospective fee - £35 million - could break the British transfer record.
Tévez has been concerned that United have not begun negotiations over an extension to his two-year loan arrangement, which runs until next summer, and the Old Trafford hierarchy want to address the situation.
Tévez moved to Old Trafford after a complex transfer from West Ham United last summer, when United agreed to pay a loan fee of £5 million per season to companies that own the player’s economic rights, with the option to sign him permanently for a further three years. His representatives are likely to discuss selling outright for a fee of up to £35 million this summer - cancelling the second loan payment - but that figure is higher than United would have expected.
David Gill, the United chief executive, said last week that he would not risk losing him at the end of the season and a source close to the player said: “A number of clubs are interested in him, but his heart is with United and he wants to stay for a long time.”
Tévez scored 19 goals in 48 appearances in his first season at Old Trafford last term. A fee in excess of £30 million for him would eclipse the transfer record set when Chelsea signed Andriy Shevchenko two years ago, breaking a previous best set by United when they signed Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United for £29.1 million in 2002.
Tévez’s move may not become a permanent transfer until January or next summer, to avoid a dent in United’s transfer budget. Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, wants to sign Dimitar Berbatov and is unperturbed by Tottenham Hotspur’s complaint to the Premier League about the pursuit of the Bulgaria forward, who is likely to cost about £28 million.
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