Carlos Tevez is ready to sign a permanent contract with Manchester United.
The Argentina international has enjoyed a superb debut campaign with the Red Devils following an acrimonious summer move from West Ham United.
Having signed on a two-year loan, United officials are investigating the best
way to sort out Tevez's ownership situation with Kia Joorabchian and formalise
the contract.
Given the length of time it took to get Tevez to Old Trafford in the first
place, reaching a resolution is unlikely to be easy.
But, after waking to confirmation of Cristiano Ronaldo's eventual desire to
play in Spain, Sir Alex Ferguson will be comforted by Tevez's statement of
intent.
'I would certainly love to extend my contract,' said the 24-year-old.
'I would go and sign right now if the opportunity was there.'
It is hardly a surprise that Tevez, like most South Americans - and Portuguese
for that matter -would one day like to experience life in Spain.
But he is unequivocal about his desire to remain with United and win trophies
under Ferguson.
'La Liga is a possibility eventually but that day is a long way off,' he
said.
'I know a lot of South Americans prefer to play in Italy or Spain when they
move to Europe but I am really pleased that I came here.
'This is the best league in the world and I am among some of the best
footballers in the world.
'I am not one to be making comparisons between clubs but Manchester United
are right up there with anyone in the world.
'When there were problems last summer, everyone assured me it would reach a
positive conclusion and I am glad it did.
'From day one, everyone has treated me well and made me feel right at home.
The fans at Manchester United even shout `Argentina'. That is why I am so happy
here.'
Not that he has has abandoned his roots, even after two years in England.
He remains a Boca Juniors fan at heart, which is perhaps no surprise given his
childhood in Buenos Aires and the fact he played for the club aged just 16.
Perhaps more of a shock, certainly to Ferguson, is the fact he set his alarm
for 4am yesterday to see Boca held 2-2 in the Libertadores Cup by Mexican side
Atlas.
'I follow all the games live when I can and although the Atlas result was not
good, I still believe we can get to the final,' he said.
The use of the word `we' was quickly corrected but Tevez does little to
dissuade anyone of his passion for home.
After winning a gold medal in Athens, he has already experienced the Olympic
atmosphere once but if the call came to compete in Beijing this summer, it would
be accepted even if Ferguson is unlikely to be happy about losing the forward in
August.
'I don't know if they will want me but I always love playing for my
country,' confirmed Tevez.
However, there are more pressing concerns just at the moment, like beating
Chelsea in the Champions League final next Wednesday.
In collecting his first major European medal by helping United overcome Wigan
to lift the Premier League last weekend, Tevez knows he can cap a truly
memorable campaign by winning in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.
'It is great to live through and experience the build-up to such a big
game,' he said.
'I know, even in South America, after the World Cup and the domestic
tournaments, it is the most followed competition. For a player, being involved
in it, it is the second biggest thing you can be involved in after the World
Cup.'
Tevez may not speak much English but, through Ronaldo, gets his point across
when required and is clearly a popular figure in the United dressing room.
For his part, the striker can see how much influence Ryan Giggs and Paul
Scholes have on the club which is why, though Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney may be
more obvious matchwinners, Tevez can see a bigger picture.
'It is vital we have the experienced guys in the team who know what
situations like this are like,' he said.
'People like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes can settle everyone down and help us
prepare mentally for the game on Wednesday.
'We can approach it with a bit more confidence knowing they are there to keep
us focussed on the game.'
