United to break the bank for Tevez

Manchester United are expected to make Carlos Tevez a permanent signing before the end of the year.

The Barclays Premier League champions are believed to be close to agreeing a deal with Tevez's owners - sports investment firm MSI - which will turn his current two-year loan deal into a permanent move.

United chief executive David Gill earlier this week admitted: "We have spoken to Carlos and see him as part of our long-term squad.

"We have been pleased with his first season. He is a good age - a great player and well liked within the team.

"We know what we have to do and what we have to pay. The only issue is that we would have to sort out a long-term contract for him.

"But it's not a problem - we can do it in September, October, November or December."

Without a new contract, the 24-year-old Argentina striker would be free to talk to other clubs in January.

Various newspapers have today claimed that it would take a British record transfer fee of between €40.5million and €44million to make the Argentinian's current loan agreement permanent.

Tevez's representative with MSI, Kia Joorabchian, will be the main benefactor and is understandably eager to see the deal go through.

The Iranian businessman - whose company have owned the player since last year - explained: "We will help him accelerate the deal to make sure it goes through.

"Everyone's keen to make sure his future is dealt with in the correct way.

"Manchester United have been fantastic with Carlos - he's very lucky to have them and they are lucky too because he's been very good for them.

"It looks like it should happen - but we don't know the timing, whether it will be a month, two or six.

"But we'll make sure when the time is right everything is done smoothly."