Tevez Hopes Rise After Talks Begin

Hopes were rising yesterday of a negotiated settlement to the Carlos Tevez affair as West Ham executives met representatives from Media Sports Investment and Just Sports Inc. The talks are thought to be the first held in person between executives of the two sides since a writ was served on the club by MSI-JSI last week.

Talks broke up last night without agreement and although the outlook is positive a court confrontation would seem inevitable if a deal is not secured today. After that MSI-JSI will have to lodge all their papers with the high court, making it much less likely a settlement will be reached.

Eggert Magnusson, West Ham's chairman, was not involved in the talks because he is expected to be called as a witness if the case reaches the high court for a three-day hearing from August 22.

Legal proceedings were initiated by MSI-JSI in an effort to force the forward's release and move to Manchester United before the end of the transfer window on August 31. The offshore companies are alleging that a contract drawn up by Magnusson, which required that Tevez move on July 1, had been breached.

The Hammers have questioned the validity of that contract, since it was not countersigned by the player, but MSI-JSI insist they possess an exchange of emails supporting their position. It is hoped that a settlement can be reached but West Ham are demanding a multimillion-pound fee to permit the player's release.

Tevez wants a swift resolution. "To play for a super-club like Manchester United without any pre-season work behind me is going to be a real handicap," he said.