MEANWHILE, EVEN WEST HAM SIGN SUPERSTARS
Last updated : 31 August 2006 By Editor
From the Guardian:
In one of the most surprising transfer deals ever sealed in English football, West Ham have signed coveted Argentina stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano - beating off competition from Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and AC Milan. And Portsmouth.
The pair will join the Hammers from Brazilian club Corinthians on a season-long loan but it could become permanent if all parties are happy, though whether West Ham could afford them is unclear, since both carry price tags in excess of £15m.
Tevez broke the news of the transfer on his official website. "Carlitos Tevez - along with his former Corinthians team-mate, Javier Mascherano, has signed - a contract to play with West Ham United of England," read the statement.
The move is nothing short of sensational: never before have two world-class players yet to reach their prime - both are only 22 - rejected a host of elite clubs in order to join a middling one.
However, while it true that West Ham are on the up with Alan Pardew at the helm and exciting talents such as Anton Ferdinand, Yossi Benayoun and Nigel Reo-Coker in their ranks, it seems likely that the Argentinian duo's decision was, at least in part, influenced by behind-the-scenes interests.
Elsewhere, it's reported that Villa are in for Saviola; Arsenal are set to land Baptista from Madrid with Reyes going the other way; Dwight Yorke and Liam Miller could go to Sunderland; while Andy Cole has joined Portsmouth. At Old Trafford fans still await the two “world class signings” promised by David Gill in May.
