FIFA may be asked to break Tevez impasse

Carlos Tevez’s representatives are ready to call in FIFA and the Football Association in a bid to force through the player’s transfer to Manchester United.

The Argentina striker’s proposed move to Old Trafford has been put on hold after the Premier League ruled West Ham must receive the vast majority of the reported £30m-plus fee.

But West Ham are not in a position to handle the transfer because Tevez’s economic rights are owned by businessman Kia Joorabchian.

Manchester United have agreed terms with Tevez and Joorabchian and hoped to have everything tied up last week – but the deal has now reached an impasse.

It is understood some of those involved in the negotiations believe the Premier League can no longer act as independent arbiter in the case.

And Tevez’s representatives are set to request help from the FA and FIFA – the two bodies who oversee transfers at a domestic and international level.

It is understood any such move would be endorsed by Manchester United.

A source close to the negotiations told PA Sport: “Diplomatic moves are being made. We are in deadlock and we need an independent body to try and sort this mess out.

“The lawyers all agree Manchester United and Joorabchian are within their rights to do a deal – but the Premier League are saying they can’t.

“The Premier League seem to have a vested interest now. They are covering their own backs after allowing West Ham to continue playing Tevez last season.

“Their whole argument is built on the premise West Ham tore up Tevez’s contract and claimed to control the player.

“But any court in the land will tell you they cannot do that.”

West Ham, after being fined £5.5m by the independent inquiry, “satisfied” the Premier League they had terminated the third-party agreement in Tevez’s contract.

Having accepted Tevez was now controlled by West Ham and allowed him to play on last season, the Premier League were compelled to state the club had to conduct the transfer.

To accept Joorabchian retains control of the player would not only be a major climbdown but could result in legal action from Sheffield United, who felt they were unfairly relegated.

Unless FIFA or the FA can help manufacture a breakthrough, the matter would appear to be heading for the courts.

However it pans out, Tevez is on his way from Upton Park and West Ham yesterday completed the £7.5m signing of Craig Bellamy from Liverpool as his replacement.

Bellamy has agreed a five-year deal and insists he is ready to end his nomadic lifestyle – the Wales captain has played for six clubs in the last seven years - and plant roots in the east end.

Bellamy’s career has been blighted by scrapes off the field and he fell out with manager Graeme Souness while at Newcastle – but that was of no concern to new boss Alan Curbishley.

“He is the right age with the right experience and has two qualities that I really like – he is hungry and also a little bit angry,” said Curbishley.

“People have raised eyebrows at the fact he has played for a few clubs. Every move has been to better himself and now he is coming to us in the prime years of his career.

“I’m certain that we are going to see the best of him at West Ham.”