Tevez saga to be resolved in High Court?

Updated 19.08 Tue Jul 31 2007

Keywords: Premier League, Manchester United, West Ham United, Carlos Tevez, football, sport, Kia Joorabchian

The Carlos Tevez saga could be resolved in the High Court at a hearing on August 22.

However, West Ham United hope that an out-of-court settlement can still be reached with Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian paying a set fee in order to release the player from his Upton Park contract.

Manchester United are watching on as events unfold as they hope Carlos Tevez can complete his move from Upton Park to Old Trafford ahead of the August 31 tansfer deadline

Manchester United are watching on as events unfold as they hope the 23-year-old Argentina striker can complete his move from Upton Park to Old Trafford ahead of the August 31 transfer deadline.

The champions' efforts to sign the player are being thwarted by the legal wrangle over who owns Tevez's registration.

Sir Alex Ferguson is remaining calm about the prospect of the striker eventually becoming an United player, telling reporters: "I am not worried because I am confident the player will eventually arrive.

"But it has been dragging on and it has become a bit frustrating. At the moment it is going to the High Court. I am sure we will get a final decision on the matter there. But if something happens before that, it is something we would welcome."

Tevez's representatives Media Sports Investment are suing the Hammers for £30 million for breach of contract after they terminated third-party agreements regarding the 23-year-old Argentina star in April.

But if an agreement can be reached, Tevez would be able to complete his dream move to Old Trafford before the 2007 / 08 Premier League season kicks off.

West Ham's lawyers have put forward a suggestion which would see the club receive a sum totalling several million pounds in compensation for agreeing to release Tevez's registration.

The Premier League has to be satisfied that the men from Upton Park are receiving an adequate sum and chairman Sir Dave Richards, chief executive Richard Scudamore and general secretary Mike Foster spent have been consiering the proposal.

The League must demonstrate to the other 19 top-flight clubs that they are operating under the scenario that Tevez's is contracted to the Hammers and not controlled by the original third-party agreements that resulted in a £5.5 million fine.

The original contracts only contained agreements for West Ham to receive £100,000 if Tevez moved on, but if the striker's advisor Joorabchian agrees to the settlement they could get around half the amount they were fined.