IP卡
狗仔卡
发表于 2006-7-20 21:30:00
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]West Ham are tonight putting the finishing touches to the spectacular double signing of Argentinian World Cup stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
The Hammers are trying to complete negotiations to take striker Tevez and midfielder Mascherano on a season-long loan from Brazilian club Corinthians - and from under the noses of Premiership rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Portsmouth.
A West Ham spokesman said: "Things are happening but there are still a few details, such as work-permits, to be tied up and we can say no more until that is resolved."
But Tevez issued a statement on his personal website saying that a move to West Ham for himself and his team-mate Mascherano had already been sealed.
Corinthians sent a delegation of officials to London on Tuesday to meet with investment group MSI, who own the players' rights, in a bid to negotiate the exit of Tevez, 22, after he signalled his desire to leave the Sao Paulo club following a falling-out with home fans.
London-based MSI, who featured in reports of a takeover at Upton Park last season when £30million was apparently on offer for the recruitment of new players, appear to have decided that Upton Park is the best possible destination for both Tevez and Mascherano - despite the interest of a string of rivals in the Premiership and Europe.
West Ham would have to raise upwards of £15million apiece - plus their huge wage demands - to secure a permanent move for the pair who both played starring roles for Argentina in the World Cup finals in Germany this summer.
But a substantial loan deal is an attractive option for the ambitious Hammers who have lost £7.5million striker Dean Ashton for much of the season with a broken ankle sustained while training with the England squad earlier this month and are also missing winger Matthew Etherington and new £1million Ghanaian signing John Pantsil with knee injuries.
Mascherano's future with Corinthians has been in doubt after he missed training on Tuesday following his sending-off in a match at the weekend.
And both players are in London for Argentina's international friendly against Brazil at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Corinthians president Alberto Dualib has admitted that talks with MSI are likely to clarify the situation of the two stars on Wednesday, with the Argentinian media suggesting that the duo are expected to make their way to England.
Former Boca Juniors marksman Tevez has been linked with a number of clubs across the continent ever since it became clear he was desperate to leave Brazil, with Roma, Manchester United, Chelsea, Milan, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid all believed to hold an interest.
Aston Villa were also linked with him following the arrival of new American owner Randy Lerner's millions. And yesterday reports in Argentina suggested Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was leading the chase for the powerful forward.
The duo's agent Adrian Ruocco is believed to be personally involved in negotiations with West Ham to complete the deal before tonight's transfer deadline.
Whilst Tevez had been expected to leave Corinthians after staying away from the club for the past week, Mascherano - also 22 - has now also gone AWOL with arguments continuing over his availability for the glamour friendly against Brazil.
Corinthians are not keen for the midfielder to travel for the tie, even though he is suspended domestically, and relations between the parties have reached a new low after coach Emerson Leao confirmed Mascherano had skipped training earlier this week.
Leao said: "I began the practice at 8.30am and there was no sign of Mascherano. I have not received any official message from him and the case has been passed to the directors."
