Man Utd frustrated by Tevez saga

Manchester United chief executive David Gill said the club's attempt to sign Carlos Tevez is "over-complicated".

The deal stalled as the Premier League said it must be done between United and West Ham but not Kia Joorabchian, who owns the 23-year-old's economic rights.

"It's become over-complicated," said Gill. "Effectively, we are trying to work with four parties.

"We're dealing with the player, West Ham, the company who own his economic rights and the Premier League."

Tevez finished on the losing side in Sunday's Copa America final as Brazil beat Argentina 3-0.

He is now reportedly preparing to fly into Manchester for a medical which, under normal circumstances, would mark the end game in a £30m move from West Ham.

United's legal expert Maurice Watkins has remained in England as efforts to resolve the dispute intensify.

On Friday, West Ham dismissed claims that Tevez was set to complete his move to United.

Representatives for the Argentine claimed he would have a medical at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

However, BBC Sport's Jonathan Legard said West Ham were bewildered by these claims and called them "irresponsible".

The move was complicated by Sheffield United's ongoing attempt to win back their place in the Premiership. The Blades believe West Ham should have been deducted points, rather than fined over the signings of Tevez and Javier Mascherano, who is now at Liverpool.

But on Friday, the Blades were refused leave to appeal against the Premier League arbitration panel's decision over Tevez.

Personal terms are understood to have been tied up and United have agreed an initial loan deal to sign Tevez.

But Five Live also understands the saga could drag on for a few more weeks, rather than the few days Man Utd hope it will take to sort out.

The Premier League has insisted West Ham, who hold Tevez's registration, must receive the majority of the fee rather than Joorabchian.

A spokesman said: "Any deal for Carlos Tevez has to be done directly with West Ham United.

"They hold the registration and we will not transfer the registration unless a deal is done directly with the club."

West Ham were only allowed to keep playing Tevez last season after assuring the Premier League all third-party clauses in the player's contract had been severed.

But Joorabchian is confident he is on a sound legal footing to push through the transfer.

"We don't see any problems. I spoke to United on Thursday and they are confident they will have him registered within days," said Joorabchian.

"Carlos will come on Tuesday, have a medical on Wednesday at United and hopefully we will have administrative issues sorted next week.

"Personal terms between Carlos and United have been agreed in full. He feels confident now he is a Manchester United player."

However, the deal could run into further complications after reports from South America claimed that Joorabchian is wanted by the police in relation to money laundering at Brazilian club Corinthians. (bbc sport)

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