Chelsea And Manchester City Join Chase For Manchester United's Carlos Tevez

Chelsea and Manchester City have joined Real Madrid in the scramble for the services of Carlos Tévez if the Manchester United forward prices himself out of a long-term contract at Old Trafford.

United are currently negotiating to sign Tévez permanently once their two-year lease arrangement expires in June. However, progress has been slow with Kia Joorabchian, head of the companies that own the player’s economic rights, maintaining that they must pay a fee of £22 million in addition to the down payments of about £10 million that have already been made and a salary well in excess of £100,000 a week.

Other clubs have been alerted to the impasse, and while Real’s interest is well-known, Chelsea and City have also made clear their desire to be kept informed of developments.

The Argentina forward has expressed a preference to stay with United, but, as well as the financial complication, he has been frustrated at times this season by his demotion to third choice behind Dimitar Berbitov and Wayne Rooney. Madrid would be his preferred destination if he were to leave United, but Chelsea and City would offer alternatives.

City officials have discussed the feasibility of such a coup with manager Mark Hughes since their failed bid to sign Brazilian forward Kaka from AC Milan this month. The fee would be £32 million, but Chelsea appear to be willing to match that valuation in the summer while also bidding to sign Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano from Seville.....More From Carly Here