The Carlos Tevez saga will edge closer to a conclusion today with the Premier League's chairman, Sir Dave Richards, apparently having indicated a softer line from his organisation.
Central to the recent progress is what should be perceived as the market value of Tevez, which would nominally be upwards of £20m. But meetings took place last week between West Ham United and Richards, in which the Hammers argued that there are several factors which reduce his value to them. With Tevez having made it clear that he no longer wants to play for the club - he turned down the offer of an improved contract at Upton Park - and with the threat of a court action hanging over them, the Hammers feel that a significantly reduced fee would be appropriate.
Richards indicated a readiness to relinquish the demand that, having torn up the contracts with Media Sports Investment and Just Sports Inc that governed Tevez's career, the club should treat him as their own asset and demand a market-rate fee for him to move to Manchester United. The shift in the focus of the negotiations is a result of the writ that was issued last week against West Ham by MSI-JSI. If court action is forced, Tevez could spend the first five months of the season on the sidelines while lawyers debate who owns him; a negotiated settlement would permit him to move to Manchester United before the August 31 transfer deadline.
Should the courts decide after the start of the season that the contract that prevails is held by MSI-JSI and not that registration document held by West Ham, then in principle there is nothing to prevent his move to Old Trafford with the companies taking the money. However, should they find in favour of West Ham, he would not be able to move until the January transfer window when West Ham would be the sole beneficiary of any fee.
The league's board - Richards, the chief executive, Richard Scudamore, and the general secretary, Mike Foster - will meet today to discuss a proposal under which MSI-JSI would pay a fee to West Ham in return for them renouncing their claims to his playing contract and registration.
The Telegraph
Carlos Tevez could be a Manchester United player in the next 48 hours if his owners and the Premier League agree to a peace deal proposed by West Ham.
With the Argentinian striker's move to United on hold until the row over who owns him is settled, it emerged yesterday that West Ham have now tabled a proposal under which they would receive a fee from Tevez's owners.
While Kia Joorabchian, Tevez's agent and part owner, and United believe it is wrong that West Ham should receive any fee for a player they do not legally own, they know that it may be the only way to ensure his move to Old Trafford goes through in time for the club's opening game of the season against Reading in two weeks.
Although Joorabchian last week launched a £30 million High Court action against West Ham, his lawyer, Graham Shear, confirmed yesterday that he would consider a settlement which allows the player to start the new Premiership season with United.
A court case would take months to resolve and with West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson resigned to losing Tevez, there is now a willingness on both sides to find a solution.