The Carlos Tevez transfer saga took a fresh twist today after a reports from South America claimed a Brazilian judge had issued an overseas arrest warrant for the player's advisor Kia Joorabchian.
The Brazilian authorities are reported to have instructed Interpol to carry out the arrest of Joorabchian, who is involved in negotiations for the sale of Tevez to Manchester United to West Ham, and Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky. Mr Berezovsky's lawyer was unaware of the issuing of a warrant this morning.
The warrants are reported to relate to suspected money laundering at Brazilian side Corinthians, of which Joorabchian's company Media Sports Investment (MSI) is a majority investor.
Judge Fausto Martin de Sanctis reportedly ordered the club's assets to be frozen and will also investigate international transfers conducted by the club. Both Corinthians and MSI deny the charges.
Argentina striker Tevez is set to be confirmed as Alex Ferguson's latest summer signing next week after playing in Sunday's Copa America final against Brazil.
Joorabchian, who owns the player's economic rights, insists West Ham have a special place in Tevez's heart but that he has no qualms about moving on.
"Carlos is a bit sad as, in terms of West Ham, he felt very attached to the club last season," Joorabchian said on Sky Sports News. "He helped them out of the relegation battle but he is a sportsman, he doesn't understand the administrative bits and pieces.
"He knows he is not fighting with West Ham or demanding anything. He loved his time there and it was mutually agreed he would be there for a year and he has served his year. He feels confident now he is a Man United player."
Personal terms have already been agreed and Tevez is expected to undergo a medical, with Ferguson confident the protracted saga is coming to a close.
Ferguson said last night: "I think we have got the player — we think he is our player and are very hopeful. Everyone was excited when we thought we could get Tevez. He's exciting, his form is fantastic and at 23 he can get better."
United have agreed an initial loan deal for Tevez with the option of a permanent transfer, which could be worth over £30million.
They had hoped to push the deal through last week but it stalled after the Premier League insisted West Ham, who hold Tevez's registration, must receive the majority of the fee.
That is because West Ham were allowed to keep playing Tevez last season after assuring the Premier League all third-party clauses in the player's contract had been severed.
But Joorabchian is confident he is on sound legal footing to push the transfer through.
