Hammers’ super swoop
The Hammers refused to divulge details of the double deal but Tevez and Mascherano commanded £15 million transfer fees when they signed for Corinthians from Argentinian clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate.
There has also been speculation that West Ham have managed to steal a march on rivals with a view to selling them on next season.
Hammers spokesman Phil Hall insisted: “There is no way West Ham would act as a feeder club for others. These are exciting signings for us but, of course, if we were offered major fees for the players at a later date we would have to consider it, as we would with other players.”
The duo’s agent, Adrian Ruocco, was believed to be personally involved in negotiations with West Ham to complete the deal before last night’s transfer deadline.
Both players are available for West Ham’s next Premiership match – at home to Villa on September 9 – but manager Alan Pardew is likely to hold them back for the UEFA Cup clash with Palermo at Upton Park days later.
Tevez, who has 25 caps and four goals for Argentina, issued a statement on his personal website earlier saying that a move to West Ham for himself and his team-mate, Mascherano, had been sealed.
Corinthians sent a delegation of officials to London on Tuesday to meet with investment group Media Sports Investment, who own the players’ rights, in a bid to negotiate the exit of Tevez, aged 22, after he signalled his desire to leave the Sao Paulo club following a falling-out with home fans.
London-based MSI, who featured in reports of a takeover at Upton Park last season when £30m was apparently on offer for the recruitment of new players, appear to have decided that Upton Park is the best possible destination for both Tevez and Mascherano – despite the interest of rivals in the Premiership and Europe.
The ambitious Hammers have lost £7.5m striker Dean Ashton for much of the season with a broken ankle sustained while training with the England squad earlier this month and are also missing winger Matthew Etherington and new £1m Ghanaian signing John Pantsil with knee injuries.
lReal Madrid have confirmed the loan signing of Jose Antonio Reyes from Arsenal, with striker Julio Baptista heading in the opposite direction.
Reyes, who turns 23 today, made no secret of his desire to head to the Bernabeu, and had not been selected by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger this season.
The winger – who joined from Sevilla in January 2004 and is under contract until 2011 – maintained he could not settle to life in England, and longed for a transfer home.
However, Gunners boss Wenger insisted the player would only be allowed to leave if the right deal came along – and last week branded an £8.1million bid from Atletico Madrid an “insult”.
Wenger has, though, been a fan of Brazilian Baptista, 24, for some time, having tried to sign him a year ago before when the attacker instead opted for Real – a fact which made all the difference in the latest offer.
A £5million cash deal plus William Gallas joining Arsenal is understood to have been agreed.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
