Friday, August 3

Web Digest [ West Ham United ] - II 3rd August 2007

Club Statement on Carlos Tevez - WHUFC
03/08/2007 14:40

West Ham United can confirm that a settlement has been reached today with the representatives of Carlos Tevez which will allow the player to leave the Club.

The settlement ends the current litigation taking place between the respective parties and provides for a £2million fee to be paid to West Ham United. The agreement confirms that West Ham United do have a valid player's contract with Carlos Tevez and hold the registration of the player. This will be released once the agreed fee has been paid to the Club.

The terms of the settlement are consistent with undertakings given by West Ham United to the Premier League and the rules of The Football Association.

Commenting on today's announcement, Eggert Magnusson, Chairman of West Ham United, said: "I am obviously pleased that we have finally reached the end of this saga through agreement and common sense. "All parties involved can now move on and truly focus on the new season. "I wish Carlos Tevez well for the next stage of his playing career. He is a fine player and I am sure he will be successful wherever he plays football. "Personally, I am looking forward to the next stage of our development as a club and for what I hope will be a very exciting new season in the Premier League."

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Tickets still available for Roma clash - WHUFC
03/08/2007 14:16

A number of tickets are still available for our final pre-season friendly of the summer, against AS Roma at Upton Park tomorrow. Today is the last day for season ticket holders to qualify for a discount on ticket sales for the match. If you are a season ticket holder and wish to purchase tickets for tomorrow, then please click here . However, tickets will also be available on the day, at pay-turnstiles from 1.30pm onwards. These will be priced from £16.00 for adults and from £8.00 for under-16s.

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Carlos Tevez Q&A - BBC
By James Munro
BBC sports news correspondent

One of the most protracted and complicated moves in English football is set to be resolved with Carlos Tevez poised to switch from West Ham to Manchester United. The matter was set to go to the High Court on 22 August but talks between West Ham and the Tevez camp are set to have avoided any such scenario. After months of complex negotiations, the matter seems to be ending - and this is why the deal has became one of football's most drawn-out sagas.

WHY IS THE TEVEZ DEAL SO COMPLICATED?

It's because Media Sports Investment (MSI) and Just Sports Inc., which owns the player's economic rights, and West Ham, which holds the player's registration, fell out over how much compensation the club would need to release him. And the Premier League needed to be satisfied that the sum would be enough to prove that it was West Ham, and not a third party, which owned the player's registration. Around £2m appears to have satisfied all three parties.

WHY A LOAN MOVE TO MAN UTD AND NOT A PERMANENT DEAL?

A similar deal was struck with Liverpool when his Argentine team-mate, Javier Mascherano, moved from West Ham. It's a complicated formula designed to ensure that the club and MSI don't break the Premier League's rules on third party agreements. But part of the loan deal would be the offer of a permanent transfer, perhaps in 2009.

HOW MUCH DO WE EXPECT MAN UTD TO PAY?

No figures have been made public, but Tevez would be expected to earn more than £4m a year. Any permanent deal could see Manchester United pay around £25m.

WHO IS GETTING THE MONEY FOR THE DEAL?

MSI's representative Kia Joorabchian has negotiated the deal with Manchester United which should be concluded this weekend. The company can expect a one-off payment of more than £5m. West Ham will get around £2m in compensation. MSI would also benefit from any permanent transfer deal.

DOES THE OUTCOME CONTRADICT WEST HAM SAYING THEY HAD TORN UP THE THIRD PARTY AGREEMENT WITH THE TEVEZ CAMP?

In normal circumstances, the selling club would earn the transfer fee but this is no ordinary contract. West Ham insist that the deal proves that it was the club's decision to release Tevez - and part of their compromise deal with MSI is that all legal action is off. The Premier League would only have accepted the deal if their lawyers were sure that it proved beyond doubt that it was West Ham's decision to release Tevez from his contract, and not MSI's. They've got an eye on the threat of legal action by Sheffield United.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SHEFFIELD UNITED?

If West Ham had have been docked points rather than fined at the initial hearing into the transfers of Tevez and Javier Mascherano it is almost certain Sheffield United would have stayed up at the expense of the Upton Park side. Hence their interest. The club says it will study the deal closely before deciding upon its next course of action.

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Club confirm Tevez departure - KUMB
Filed: Friday, 3rd August 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel

West Ham United have released a statement confirming the imminent departure of Carlos Tevez. The statement, released this lunchtime confirmed that Tevez would be a Man United player imminently, following months of legal wrangling between the Hammers, Man U and the MSI Group who claim ownership of Tevez's economic rights. "West Ham United can confirm that a settlement has been reached today with the representatives of Carlos Tevez which will allow the player to leave the Club," the statement read. "The settlement ends the current litigation taking place between the respective parties and provides for a £2million fee to be paid to West Ham United. "The agreement confirms that West Ham United do have a valid player's contract with Carlos Tevez and hold the registration of the player. This will be released once the agreed fee has been paid to the Club. The terms of the settlement are consistent with undertakings given by West Ham United to the Premier League and the rules of The Football Association."
Eggert Magnusson, who only weeks ago was still insisting that Tevez would remain at Upton Park next season, added: "I am obviously pleased that we have finally reached the end of this saga through agreement and common sense. All parties involved can now move on and truly focus on the new season. "I wish Carlos Tevez well for the next stage of his playing career. He is a fine player and I am sure he will be successful wherever he plays football."

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Bellamy wants fight club - Sky
Bellamy cultivates fighting spirit
By Alex Dunn

While there has been the odd eyebrow raised by West Ham's recruitment campaign in the close-season, with Alan Curbishley assembling a band of players with somewhat chequered pasts, Craig Bellamy does not envisage any problems. The fiery Welshman is one such player not alien to headlines of the adverse kind and the imminent arrival of the occasionally troubled Kieron Dyer will see him reunited with his former Newcastle United sparring partner Lee Bowyer.
Despite only securing their Premier League status on the final day of last season, Curbishley's side head into the new campaign with heady expectations, following an aggressive recruitment campaign in the summer. Curbishley is confident he can handle an eclectic mix in his dressing room and Bellamy too is of the opinion that volatile temperaments can help cultivate a winning mentality.
"One of the best dressing rooms I have been in was at Celtic where there were fights and arguments every week," he told the Daily Mirror. "They were all close friends but they demanded things from each other and Celtic won everything domestically during that time and got to the 2003 Uefa Cup final. "It is very easy to talk things down and live in the comfort zone and create no expectations because anything else would then be a bonus. "You see a lot of managers and players do that but I learnt off Mark Hughes at Blackburn to expect and demand things of yourself and others and that is what I am trying to do here. "I don't think you are out of order to demand too much from a team-mate."

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Hammers confirm Tevez deal - Sky
Man Utd free to finalise move
By Graeme Bailey Last updated: 03rd August 2007

West Ham United have confirmed that they have agreed a deal for Carlos Tevez to leave the club. The Hammers have revealed that they will receive £2million compensation for the Argentine - who is now free to join Manchester United. The announcement brings to an end weeks of negotiations and speculation about Tevez's future and also sees the threat of High Court action ended. "I am obviously pleased that we have finally reached the end of this saga through agreement and common sense," said Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson "All parties involved can now move on and truly focus on the new season. "I wish Carlos Tevez well for the next stage of his playing career. He is a fine player and I am sure he will be successful wherever he plays football. "Personally, I am looking forward to the next stage of our development as a club and for what I hope will be a very exciting new season in the Premier League." United are now expected to tie up Tevez on an initial two-year loan deal from MSI for which they will pay around £8million. After the two-year spell, they will have first option to conclude a permanent transfer of the Argentine forward.

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Match Preview - West Ham United v AS Roma - West Ham Online
Match Reporter - Fri Aug 3 2007

West Ham United v AS Roma
Saturday 4th August 2007
Kick Off 3 pm
Pre-Season friendly

Ticket Information

Tickets are available, check the clubs website for full details and prices

Having already been beaten by SS Lazio this summer, Alan Curbishley will be looking to round off a fairly successful pre-season by beating the other lot from the Stadio Olimpico when West Ham take on Serie A runners up AS Roma at home on Saturday.

Luciano Spalletti brings his star studded team to Upton Park in the toughest of pre-season tests a week before we kick off against Man City.

Roma are a little bit behind in preparation as their season doesn't start until two weeks after the Premiership when Roma face a friendly trip to Sicily and Palmero.

Roma failed to add to their 3 Serie A Scudetto wins last season when being beaten into second place in the league by Inter Milan but second is still an impressive finish. They also beat Inter to win the Coppa Italia 7-4 over 2 legs and who can forget their quarter final exit from the Champions League? Leading Man United 2-1 from the first leg in the Stadio Olimpico, Man United destroyed them 7-1 in one of the most impressive displays of the season at Old Trafford.

West Ham's form has improved in the last 2 games with some impressive displays in the wins over Southend and Norwich.

We will be without long term injury victim Julien Faubert and Scott Parker will be missing with a knee injury which could keep him out of the opening game of the season next weekend.

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Carlos Tevez leaves West Ham - West Ham Online
Match Reporter - Fri Aug 3 2007

West Ham United this afternoon confirmed that one of the longest transfer sagas in football had come to an end after the club reached a settlement with with the representatives of Carlos Tevez which will allow the player to leave the Club.

The settlement ends the prospect of a High Court battle taking place between the respective parties and provides for a £2million fee to be paid to West Ham United.

The agreement also confirms that West Ham United did have a valid player's contract with Carlos Tevez and held the registration of the player. This will be released once the agreed fee has been paid to the Club.

The club said the terms of the settlement are consistent with undertakings given by West Ham United to the Premier League and the rules of The Football Association.

West Ham United Chairmen said "I am obviously pleased that we have finally reached the end of this saga through agreement and common sense. All parties involved can now move on and truly focus on the new season. I wish Carlos Tevez well for the next stage of his playing career. He is a fine player and I am sure he will be successful wherever he plays football.
Personally, I am looking forward to the next stage of our development as a club and for what I hope will be a very exciting new season in the Premier League."

Carlos Tevez joined West Ham United with fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano on transfer deadline day last August in a move that shocked football.

However both players failed to settle into their new environment quickly and were blamed by many for upsetting the dressing room.

Mascherano moved to Liverpool in January after FIFA granted dispensation for him to play for a 3rd club in one year.

The Premier League then charged West Ham with a breach of the rules over the 3rd party influence clause in the Tevez contract. An Independent commission found the club guilty and fined them a record £5.5m but failed to dock points to disgust of the clubs relegation rivals.

Sheffield United tried in vain to get the ruling overturned but that was rejected first by an arbitration panel and then by the High Court, after Tevez's goal on the final day of the season saved West Ham and a home defeat at the hands of Wigan relegated Neil Warnock's Sheffield United side to the Championship.

Left on the sidelines after Alan Curbishley took over as manager in December, Tevez name was called for by fans on mass to try and save the Hammers as they lurched from one defeat to another and looked certain to be relegated.

The turning point came when Tevez scored his first goal for the club in the 4-3 defeat at home to Spurs and he went on to play a major role in the Hammers survival, scoring 7 times in the last 10 games including that priceless goal in the 1-0 win at Old Trafford on the final day of the season.

I wish Carlos Tevez all the best at Man Utd, it was an absolute pleasure to witness those performances in the run in and he must go down as one of the best ever players to wear the claret and blue

Carlos Tevez 31/8/2006 – 04/8/2007
League 19 App 7 Sub 7 Goals
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Tévez cleared to join United - uefa.com
Friday 3 August 2007

Manchester United FC are to sign Argentina striker Carlos Tévez after an agreement was reached for his transfer from West Ham United FC.

Agreement
The 23-year-old helped West Ham avoid relegation last season with the only goal of their final match at Old Trafford, having moved to London from SC Corinthians Paulista last summer. A dispute over his contract delayed his transfer to Manchester but the clubs have drawn up a settlement that prevents legal action, with West Ham to receive €3m in compensation.

Statement
A statement on West Ham's website read: "The agreement confirms that West Ham United do have a valid player's contract with Carlos Tévez and hold the registration of the player. This will be released once the agreed fee has been paid to the club. The terms of the settlement are consistent with undertakings given by West Ham to the Premier League and the rules of The Football Association."

'Sensational destination'
Tévez, who will replace Newcastle United FC-bound Alan Smith, becomes the Premier League champions' fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Nani from Sporting Clube de Portugal, Anderson from FC Porto and FC Bayern München midfielder Owen Hargreaves. When the switch was first mooted last month, the former CA Boca Juniors forward said: "For me, Manchester United would be a sensational destination and to be a member of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad will be absolutely spectacular. My dream is to be an idol in English football and I can achieve this now."

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West Ham finally agree to release Tevez
£2m deal ends court case and frees way to Manchester United
Staff and agencies
Friday August 3, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

One of this summer's most arduous transfer sagas appears to have come to a close after West Ham confirmed that they have agreed a settlement with Media Sports Investments, the representatives of Carlos Tevez, which will allow the striker to leave the club.
Tevez, who passed a medical at Old Trafford this morning with a view to a two-year loan deal, is expected to be confirmed as a Manchester United player early next week, when the move's official paperwork goes through.

The agreement confirms that West Ham have a valid player's contract with Tevez and that they hold his playing registration. United, meanwhile, have the option of making the deal permanent for a further £20m. Tevez will earn around £3.5m a season and could make his debut against Reading at Old Trafford on Sunday week.
"I am obviously pleased that we have finally reached the end of this saga through agreement and common sense. All parties involved can now move on and truly focus on the new season," said the West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson. "I wish Carlos Tevez well for the next stage of his playing career. He is a fine player and I am sure he will be successful wherever he plays football. Personally, I am looking forward to the next stage of our development as a club and for what I hope will be a very exciting new season in the Premier League."

Although the Premier League has yet to ratify the move, Joorabchian confirmed the agreement brings to a close the legal proceedings he had set in motion against the club. "We are delighted that a settlement has been reached between all parties to secure Carlos Tevez's move from West Ham United to Manchester United," said Joorabchian.

"Our primary concern has always been to resolve this issue amicably and to allow Carlos to pursue his ambition to play for Manchester United. Carlos is looking forward to being a Manchester United player and his ambition is close to being achieved. We would like to thank Manchester United for all their patience and support throughout."

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Carlos Tevez timeline - The Times

August 31, 2006: West Ham pull off what is seen as a major transfer coup by signing Carlos Tevez and his Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano.

September 1: West Ham admit having "exploratory discussions" over a possible takeover. Businessman Kia Joorabchian, who engineered the transfer of Tevez and Mascherano, is reported to be interested.

September 4: West Ham deny they are contractually obliged to play Tevez and Mascherano in every game.

September 10: Draw 1-1 with Aston Villa, Tevez making his debut off the bench.

November 21: West Ham accept £85million takeover bid by a consortium headed by Eggert Magnusson.

December 11: Pardew sacked as manager of West Ham.

March 2, 2007: West Ham are charged by the Premier League for breaching their rules in relation to the signings of Tevez and Mascherano in August.

April 4: A three-man panel is appointed by the Premier League to investigate the signings of Tevez and Mascherano.

April 27: West Ham are fined £5.5 million but spared a points deduction after pleading guilty. The verdict also rules "the registration of Carlos Tevez can be terminated by the FA Premier League" but Tevez is later cleared to play on for West Ham.

May 13: Tevez scores the winning goal in 1-0 defeat to Manchester United which ensures West Ham avoid relegation.<QA1> May 15: FIFA say they will investigate Premier League ruling.

May 16: Sheffield United file "arbitration proceedings" against the Premier League in a bid to overturn the decision not to deduct points from West Ham. The same day Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards and chief executive Richard Scudamore send a six-page letter to all 20 club chairmen defending the decision.

May 22: The Premier League agree to set up an arbitration tribunal to rule on Sheffield United's complaints over the Carlos Tevez affair.

June 2: Premier League chairmen agree a new rule forcing clubs to disclose every document connected to player transfers to improve "clarity" in transfer deals.

June 13: Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe threatens to turn to the European Commission to seek compensation if the independent arbitration panel rejects their bid to overturn their relegation.

June 28: Tevez turns down a move to Inter Milan after they impose a deadline on his decision.

July 3: Sheffield United lose their legal challenge against the Premier League after an arbitration panel dismissed their claim.

July 4: The Blades investigate the possibility of a High Court appeal, on the basis that the arbitration panel made an "error in law" in not referring the Tevez case back to the original independent three-man panel which fined West Ham in May.

July 6: Representatives of the player confirm he has agreed personal terms with Manchester United. The deal is held up as the Premier League insist any proceeds of the deal must go to the Hammers and not to Joorabchian or MSI.

July 11: West Ham reject an official request from Tevez to cancel his contract with the club.

July 13: Following a private hearing at the High Court, Sheffield United's attempt to gain leave to appeal the arbitration panel's decision is refused.

July 17: Tevez flies into Manchester airport after appearing in the Copa America final for a proposed medical but stalemate between West Ham and Manchester United casts doubt over the examination.

July 18: Manchester United chief executive David Gill announces the club will ask FIFA to arbitrate on the Carlos Tevez transfer.

July 23: FIFA meet with legal representatives of Premier League and Football Association in Zurich to decide whether they will arbitrate over the dispute.

July 24: FIFA recommend case to be referred to Court of Arbitration for Sport after deciding not to become involved. However, Kia Joorabchian opts to issue High Court proceedings against West Ham.

August 3: West Ham have confirmed they have reached a £2 million settlement with Carlos Tevez's representatives which will allow the Argentinian to leave the club. Tevez is expected to join Manchester United shortly.

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HibbsTevez move gets green light - manutd.com
03/08/2007 13:54, Report by Ben HibbsTevez move gets green light

Reds transfer target Carlos Tevez has been given the all-clear to join United after West Ham confirmed that they have reached a settlement with the player's representatives. A statement on West Ham's website confirmed: "The settlement ends the current litigation taking place between the respective parties and provides for a £2million fee to be paid to West Ham United. "The agreement confirms that West Ham United do have a valid player's contract with Carlos Tevez and hold the registration of the player. This will be released once the agreed fee has been paid to the Club. The terms of the settlement are consistent with undertakings given by West Ham United to the Premier League and the rules of The Football Association."
Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson said: "I am obviously pleased that we have finally reached the end of this saga through agreement and common sense. All parties involved can now move on and truly focus on the new season. "I wish Carlos Tevez well for the next stage of his playing career. He is a fine player and I am sure he will be successful wherever he plays football."

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Fans in flap over Dyer signing - The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
August 03, 2007

KIERON DYER will have to convince some angry West Ham fans he has the desire to take the club to the top. The England midfielder signed for Hammers late last night in a £6million deal from Newcastle after successfully completing a medical. That fee includes £1m if Hammers break into Europe while Dyer is at Upton Park on a four-year deal. Dyer, 28, was slammed by a handful of Toon fans after he said he wanted to return south because of family commitments.
He also had an onfield bust-up while at St James' Park with another Hammer, Lee Bowyer — but both publicly apologised for the fight. Now he will have to convince Claret and Blue diehards he is over all his injury problems and can reproduce the form that made him one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the country. Fans on West Ham's independent chat sites were split over whether boss Alan Curbishley had spent his money wisely. That is despite the fact another wide player was needed following Florent Faubert's freak Achilles injury that has put the French winger out for six months. One supporter wrote on the ITBS website: "There's a few too many 'ifs' about him. 'If' he stays fit. 'If' he doesn't disrupt the good team spirit. 'If' his attitude's OK. "Basically too many factors have to fall in our favour for it to work out and for us to get the best out of him."
On WestHamOnline another fan wrote: "There's certainly gonna be a few egos in the changing room and on the training ground next season. I hope Curbs can handle them all."
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce was quick to replace Dyer with a double swoop last night for England striker Alan Smith and Brazilian defender Capaca. Both players were on Tyneside yesterday undergoing medicals and the deals are expected to be rubberstamped today. Middlesbrough, Everton and Sunderland were all tracking Smith, 26, who was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford. But Smith has opted to link up with former Leeds strike partner Mark Viduka at St James' Park. Brazilian international Capaca, 31, has skippered Lyon to five French League titles but fell out with boss Gerard Houllier last term.

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West Ham would've paid £35M Tevez fee
tribalfooball.com - August 03, 2007

West Ham United chairman Eggert Magnusson would have happily coughed up the total £35 million Kia Joorabchian was seeking for Carlos Tevez, it has been revealed. Tevez is set to sign for United this weekend in a two-year 'loan' arrangement which will earn Joorabchian £10 million. The Premiership champs can sign the Argie outright for £20 million at the end of the two-year period. Meanwhile, such is West Ham's new spending power that the Daily Express says Magnusson would have happily paid out the £35m to have kept Tevez, knowing full well the money would have gone straight to MSI and Just Sport. But the Argentine, naturally, chose the understandable option of Champions League football at the elite end of the market with Manchester United rather than life without European action in the East End of London.

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West Ham step up bid for Barcelona's Gudjohnsen
tribalfooball.com - August 03, 2007

West Ham United will push through a deal for Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen now that Carlos Tevez is on his way to Manchester United. The Daily Mail says the Hammers are resigned to losing the Argentina marksmen, who should finally complete his move to Manchester United next week as the complicated wranglings surrounding his registration are set to be resolved. Former Chelsea star Gudjohnsen has fallen down the Nou Camp pecking order following the arrival of Thierry Henry from Arsenal in the Catalan city. And they view him as the ideal foil alongside Craig Bellamy and Dean Ashton in an attack which will be needed to provide goals to prevent last season's lengthy flirtation with the Premier League relegation zone.

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Eggert: I'm glad Tevez saga's over - Daily Mail
Last updated at 13:38pm on 3rd August 2007

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson today spoke of his relief that the Carlos Tevez transfer saga is finally over. The Icelandic businessman said he thought "common sense" had prevailed after the player's move to Manchester United was finally sanctioned by the Premier League. The Hammers confirmed they will receive £2million from Tevez's agent Kia Joorabchian and claimed vindication in their stance over the Argentine's sell-on rights. The "fee" West Ham will get is, however, far below their original £20m valuation of their star player last season. Joorabchian and his company Media Sports Investment (MSI) had been preparing for a High Court battle with West Ham on 22 August to release Tevez from his contract. However, the club are now convinced the deal will end the legal wrangling which has overshadowed their preparations for the new season. Magnusson said: "I'm obviously pleased we've finally reached the end of this saga through agreement and common sense. "All parties involved can now move on and truly focus on the new season. I am looking forward to the next stage of our development as a club."
A club spokesman said: "The settlement provides for a £2m fee to be paid to West Ham." United have agreed a two-year loan deal for Tevez with Joorabchian with a further three-year option. They will pay £5m a year to MSI for his services. Tevez's unusual ownership structure lays at the heart of the contract wrangle.
West Ham broke Premier League rules on third-party agreements when they signed him and were fined £5.5m. The club were then only allowed to play him in the League providing they cancelled the third-party agreement with Joorabchian's companies. As a result, the Premier League ruled West Ham needed to be compensated if Tevez moved. Joorabchian, however, insisted the third-party agreement had remained in place and had, until today, only been prepared to give West Ham £100,000. It is understood Joorabchian changed his stance because of the costs and time involved in legal action. He was also keen to grant Tevez's wish of playing for United as soon as possible. Joorabchian had also threatened last month to produce documents that could help Sheffield United's club's cause in their fight for compensation. That evidence may now never come to light as both parties are believed to have signed a secrecy agreement.
With Joorabchian acknowledging West Ham did own Tevez it severely dents the possibility of Blades chairman Kevin McCabe winning compensation. Tevez will miss Sunday's Community Shield but could feature against Reading at Old Trafford on 12 August.

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West Ham home in on Shorey - Sportigo
Fri, Aug 3, 07 11:38Mark Apostolou

The long-running saga surrounding West Ham striker Carlos Tevez will soon come to an end and the Argentinian will be free to join Manchester United this weekend (BBC). Amen to that. It seems that various sources are claiming that agent/character of disrepute Kia Joorabchian will pay £2m to the Hammers and then receive a reported £10m from the Old Trafford coffers in lieu of an apparent two- year loan deal for the striker. Will that be the end of it? Lets hope so!

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is still clinging to hopes of signing Reading full-back Nicky Shorey. The 26-year-old defender has still not signed a new deal with the Royals, despite long-drawn-out talks, and the Hammers are willing to pay him around £40,000-per-week (Daily Mail). I had hoped that Shorey would stick with Reading, a side he has helped grow in stature with seasons of consistency taking the Royals into the Premiership. But it appears a very real possibility that Shorey's head will be turned by such an offer, especially given he is a Hammers supporter.


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West Ham Re-United: A remarkable reunion - East Anglian Daily Times
03 August 2007 | 11:00
ELVIN KING

AS WELL as cementing his status as a footballing multi-millionaire, Kieron Dyer's likely move to West Ham will bring about a remarkable reunion with two former team-mates. Nearly 20 years ago, local Ipswich youth league side Whitton Sports boasted three notable starlets: Dyer, Richard Wright, and Matthew Upson, who were all to find fame and fortune as Premiership stars and England internationals. Now, two decades later, the three are reunited at Upton Park.
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley will be hoping that the Suffolk-born trio enjoy better luck than in recent seasons. Dyer has been plagued with injuries during his eight years on Tyneside, Wright has hardly played first-team football for Everton, and Upson cruelly suffered an injury on his West Ham debut. For Dyer, it will represent a fresh start, and the opportunity to be closer to his long-term partner and their two children in Ipswich. The £80,000 a week he will reputedly earn enables him to continue the millionaire lifestyle he has enjoyed during his time at Newcastle: flash homes on Tyneside and in Spain, fast cars, and snappy dressing have become part of Dyer's image. It's all a long way from his early days living in a terrace house in Dillwyn Street, just off Handford Road, in Ipswich. Kieron went to school just around the corner, at St Matthew's Primary, and showed sporting talent from day one.
Paul King, Dyer's best friend at primary school, recalls: "Our PE teacher Peter Robinson dropped Kieron from the school side for one game for disciplinary reasons. We didn't have a sports field, so we played our home games at Handford Hall School. I can remember Kieron peering round the corner and watching the match from the road.''
King, now a PE teacher and member of Suffolk's county cricket squad, said: "Kieron was a natural at all sports and was no slouch at cricket. "I lived in Victoria Street, and this was like a second home for Kieron. We used to play on our bikes around the London Road area, and we were also always kicking a ball about.''
Dyer was a member of the 4th Ipswich Boys' Brigade side which took the Boys' Brigade League by storm. Paul King recalled: "Kieron was always scoring goals, and I remember one when he went round virtually the whole opposing team - keeper and all - and bent down on his knees to head the ball over the line.''
From the Boys' Brigade, it was on to five-a-side football in the 257 Junior Blues league, where Dyer played in the same team as Sergei Baltacha junior, and then to team up with Upson and Wright in what must be the most star-studded youth football team ever. By the time he was 17, a diminutive Dyer was turning out for George Burley's Ipswich Town side which battled year after year to regain its place in the Premiership. The sight of Dyer sobbing inconsolably after the Blues failed to gain automatic promotion ensured his place in the hearts of Town fans. Inevitably, he moved on to bigger things. While Dyer's time at Newcastle has been blighted by injury, and some negative tabloid headlines, it's fair to say he has not forgotten his beginnings. In recent years, he has bought his mother a comfortable new home, and he has also ploughed money into Ridgeons League club Whitton United, and is planning to run soccer schools at the club's King George V ground. Ipswich fans will wish him well at Upton Park.

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I'M ON MY WAY - Daily Express
Friday August 3,2007
By Harry Harris

Carlos Tevez will become a Manchester United player today after a remarkable £2million deal was struck that blew apart any pretence that West Ham ever owned him. The Daily Express has been given full access to the sensational financial details that allow Tevez to move from West Ham to Old Trafford via third-party owners, Media Sports Investments and Just Sports Inc. The Hammers receive a mere £2m for a world-class striker, who is valued in excess of £35m. But they won't get a penny from Old Trafford. Their "fee" will come direct from MSI and Just Sport. Tevez, meanwhile, gets £90,000 a week and joins the most famous club on the planet. United will pay £10m for a two-year "rental" from the third-party owners of Tevez, with the option to purchase him outright for more than £20m. West Ham, who supposedly terminated all third-party agreements and with the backing of the Premier League held Tevez's registration insisting they had the player under contract until 2010, emerge with nothing like the player's true market value. Now, as Tevez signs, the fee goes straight to overseas investors without a penny ending up at Upton Park . In fact, under the terms of the original third-party agreements, amended in December, the Hammers were entitled to only a £100,000 facility fee. But once the owners' representative, Kia Joorabchian, issued a writ last week aimed at securing the transfer, contentious documents were due to be lodged with the High Court. Minutes before the explosive December 1 contracts were due to be put before a judge yesterday, all parties involved finally thrashed out a comprise financial deal to prevent the mess ending up in court.
Joorabchian increased the offer from £100,000 to £900,000 in an effort to avoid the court proceedings, which threatened to embarrass not only West Ham, but possibly the Premier League and high-profile associates of Joorabchian. He felt that his decision to "up the stakes" was justified, having been advised he would win an injunction to prevent West Ham blocking the transfer. But Joorabchian's reason for increasing the facility fee to £2m was to end one of football's longest and most sordid sagas and allow Tevez to end his enforced exile from the game and make sure that his man moved before the transfer window closed. Now, as Tevez signs, the fee goes straight to overseas investors without a penny ending up at Upton Park. Tevez can now pocket his £90,000-a-week salary, with every chance of his registration going through in time for Sunday's Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley. After virtually no training in the last three weeks he is unlikely to play, but could figure on the bench as his "unveiling".
The biggest stumbling block has been the persistence of the Premier League in standing firm in their insistence for a realistic fee going to the Hammers. Yet few could justify £2m as a realistic fee when the player is rated at £35m. How all the parties involved square that particular circle will be the most intriguing part of this entire affair. It has been a scandal, sweeping up relegated Sheffield United in its slipstream, as the Hammers avoided a points deduction
having been found guilty of breaking the rules affecting third-party ownership. It has been a scandal. But the new Hammers' owners can now look to the future. Money seems to be no object as their recruiting drive for manager Alan Curbishley goes on merrily regardless of the small fee received from Joorabchian for Tevez.
Eidur Gudjohnsen remains the preferred choice up front, for £10m, and last night West Ham wrapped up their £6m deal for Newcastle's England star Kieron Dyer.
Where is the money coming from?
In fact, chairman and front man Eggert Magnusson would have happily paid out the £35m to have kept Tevez, knowing full well the money would have gone straight to MSI and Just Sport. But the Argentine, naturally, chose the understandable option of Champions League football at the elite end of the market with Manchester United rather than life without European action in the East End of London. I understand that the Premier League hired a top QC to give them advice on the implications and ramifications of any decision to grant the movement of the Tevez registration under these most contentious circumstances. With a potential £50m law suit pending from Sheffield United, every move of the transactions has been under scrutiny. As the Daily Express reported on Tuesday, the danger to both the Premier League and also West Ham was the impact of unseen and countersigned contract amendments that Joorabchian aimed to lodge with the High Court. It is thought these might even have proved the Magnusson regime knew and affirmed the third-party arrangements for their star striker. Last night's deal, though, has prevented such small print becoming public and has finally allowed the player's move to take place.

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Blades step up battle for Tevez cash - The Star - Sheffield

SHEFFIELD United are preparing to launch a major new offensive in their battle with the FA Premier League over the Carlos Tevez Affair. United, who are poised to unveil the Everton striker James Beattie as the club's record signing, have spent the past four days monitoring West Ham's negotiations with Kia Joorabchian - whose MSI group are continuing to claim ownership of Tevez. Kevin McCabe, United's plc chairman, has criticised the FAPL's decision to allow the Argentina international to represent West Ham during the final three games of last season arguing it led to the Blades being relegated. United want compensation.
Joorabchian is expected to strike a deal with officials at Upton Park today to facilitate his client's transfer to Manchester United. But McCabe is adamant that the protracted negotiations between West Ham and MSI prove that Tevez's registration continued to breach the rules governing third-party ownership.
McCabe said: "All along, our dealings with the Premier League have been unhelpful in the extreme. The whole integrity of the sport has been thrown into doubt. If the Premier League had the backbone, they would have done something. United have been encouraged to learn Jorabchian claims to be in possession of documents which confirm Tevez's registration has never been passed to West Ham. The Blades are understood to have agreed personal terms with £4m-rated Beattie.

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Premier League Rumour Mill: Hammers still keen on Eidur - Daily mail
By DANNY GRIFFITHS - More by this author »
Last updated at 09:17am on 3rd August 2007

West Ham are lining up a bid to bring Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen to Upton Park as a replacement for Carlos Tevez. The Hammers are resigned to losing the Argentina marksmen, who should finally complete his move to Manchester United next week as the complicated wranglings surrounding his registration are set to be resolved. Former Chelsea star Gudjohnsen has fallen down the Nou Camp pecking order following the arrival of Thierry Henry from Arsenal in the Catalan city. And they view him as the ideal foil alongside Craig Bellamy and Dean Ashton in an attack which will be needed to provide goals to prevent last season's lengthy flirtation with the Premier League relegation zone.

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