• Premier League

West Ham ready to offer Tevez escape route

ESPNsoccernet staff
September 30, 2011
Carlos Tevez could be facing a 15-week spell on the sidelines at Manchester City © Getty Images
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West Ham are ready to offer Carlos Tevez an escape route from Manchester City by taking him back to Upton Park on loan.

Tevez's move to West Ham in 2006 caused considerable controversy because of the third-party ownership scandal that eventually saw them forced to pay compensation to relegated Sheffield United.

However, he remains a popular figure at the club and the Hammers have sounded out City to bring him back - albeit for just three months until he can be sold in January - as Championship teams can loan players outside of the summer transfer window.

Unless there is interest from the Middle East, it looks like Tevez's most realistic move if he wants to continue to play, as Roberto Mancini has made it abundantly clear he won't pick the Argentine again after he allegedly refused to come on as a substitute against Bayern Munich this week.

No one will officially comment at West Ham because of the sensitivity of the situation and City are not going to make an instant decision while they take legal advice over the extent to which they can punish Tevez.

However, a source confirmed to ESPNsoccernet that West Ham have made a move to bring Tevez to the club, saying: "Yes, I can confirm it is true."

Having handed Tevez a two-week suspension, with fines close to £500,000, City are seeking advice from the FA and PFA whether the suspension can be extended to six weeks.

The situation has put City in a difficult position, with Mancini gaining the full backing of the owners to ban Tevez from the team. But as that serves no useful purpose to the club, they might see the benefit of allowing him to go to West Ham, who would pay a percentage of the player's £200,000-a-week basic wages for a three-month spell.

Corinthians were ready to pay £40 million for Tevez just two months ago, but it is felt that the player's value is now halved, which would encourage other clubs to join the bidding to sign him in January.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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