Tevez rejects Madrid to stay at United

Published on Saturday 26 July 2008 19:58

CARLOS Tevez rejected overtures from Real Madrid this summer because he was happy to commit his future to Manchester United.

Tevez, 24, will sign a four-year contract with United at some point over the next couple of months now talks over his ownership have been concluded.

The Red Devils have agreed a 33m fee with Tevez's owners, who are no longer MSI, for the Argentina forward.

"Carlos Tevez's economic rights are owned by a third party, based offshore but this is not MSI," confirmed Tevez's long-time adviser Kia Joorabchian.

Tevez's initial arrival at Old Trafford was dragged out almost until the start of last season as the Premier League satisfied themselves over a loan deal for the striker, even though it was almost identical to the one which saw Javier Mascherano leave West Ham for Liverpool. But he created a favourable impression at United, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson in no doubt he wanted to sign the player permanently. Now that move is almost complete, although not without some interest from elsewhere.

While there has been no comment from Joorabchian or United, it is believed two clubs approached the South American, one of which was Real Madrid.

Given Real have spent most of the summer attempting to lure Cristiano Ronaldo away from Old Trafford, keeping Tevez has been well received at United, offering them a chance to show to the Portugal winger they intend keeping all their star players.