United close in on Tevez

Manchester United last night appeared to have won the race to sign Carlos Tévez. The West Ham United forward, who is playing in the Copa America in Venezuela, has told his Argentina teammates that a deal has been agreed for him to play at Old Trafford next season. Tévez has been coveted by some of the top European clubs this summer, including Inter Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid, after his rousing performances and seven goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham in the Premiership last season.



Their survival was ensured when his perseverance allowed him to score the only goal in the defeat of United at Old Trafford on a dramatic final day of the season in May. It is likely that Tévez will move to United initially on a 12-month loan deal, with a fee of about £4million payable to Kia Joorabchian, the businessman who owns the economic rights to the player, and wages in excess of £3m.