Representatives for the Argentine, 23, say he will have a medical at Old Trafford on Wednesday when he returns from Sunday's Copa America final.

But BBC Sport's Jonathan Legard says West Ham are bewildered by these claims and have called them "irresponsible".

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson remains "hopeful" a deal can be reached to take the striker to Old Trafford.
"Everyone was excited when we thought we could get Tevez. He's exciting, his form is fantastic and at 23 he can get better."

But BBC Five Live's Legard understands United have not been in touch with West Ham and any Tevez deal could depend on Sheffield United's High Court date on Friday.

The Blades are trying to win back their place in the Premiership by saying West Ham should have been deducted points over the signings of Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

They hope documentation from Kia Joorabchian, the duo's representative, can help their cause.

"West Ham insist there has been no direct bid for Tevez and therefore the Premier League would not sanction the deal without confirmation that the club - not Joorabchian's management company - would receive the money," added Legard.

"I'm told, however, that the result of Sheffield United's High Court appearance could decide the next stage of this saga.

"Joorabchian has been asked by the Yorkshire club to provide details of Tevez's contract and that could help unravel the contractual wrangle with Manchester United."

Personal terms are understood to have been agreed and United have agreed an initial loan deal to sign Tevez.

But Five Live also understands the saga could drag on for a few more weeks, rather than the few days Man Utd hope it will take to sort out.
The Premier League has insisted West Ham, who hold Tevez's registration, must receive the majority of the fee rather than Joorabchian, who owns Tevez's economic rights.

A spokesman said: "Any deal for Carlos Tevez has to be done directly with West Ham United.

"They hold the registration and we will not transfer the registration unless a deal is done directly with the club."

West Ham were only allowed to keep playing Tevez last season after assuring the Premier League all third-party clauses in the player's contract had been severed.

But Joorabchian is confident he is on sound legal footing to push the transfer through.

"We don't see any problems. I spoke to United on Thursday and they are confident they will have him registered next week," said Joorabchian.

"Carlos will come on Tuesday, have a medical on Wednesday at United and hopefully we will have administrative issues sorted next week.

"Personal terms between Carlos and United have been agreed in full. He feels confident now he is a Manchester United player."

However, the deal could run into further complications after reports from south America claimed that Joorabchian is wanted by the police in relation to money laundering at Brazilian club side Corinthians.