Manchester United chief executive David Gill
has told the BBC he expects the future of forward Carlos Tevez to
be resolved by early June.
Tevez was quoted as suggesting he would leave the club
and appeared to wave goodbye to fans as team-mates lifted the
Premier League trophy on Saturday.
"The actual situation will be cleared
up in early June," said Gill.
"Carlos has done very well.
We'd like him to stay but
the actual economic situation needs to be
clarified."
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He also confirmed the two parties were discussing a fee in the
region of £25m for Tevez's signature.
Gill told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme he had met
with Tevez' adviser Kia Joorabchian, who owns the Argentine's
economic rights, in midweek, but said both parties had agreed "not
to continue negotiations through the press".
He added: "It is an unusual situation. When we did our deal to
acquire Carlos two years ago, his economic rights were owned by a
company controlled by Kia Joorabchian. That's a feature of a lot of
South American players.
"We have to deal with Kia Joorabchian - we paid a loan fee for
two years, then there is a fixed fee we have to pay his company if
we wish to take up our option to acquire Carlos, at which point we
would own him 100% in football terms, and any other club would deal
with us.
"Whatever happens to him in the summer, that situation will be
clarified. If he goes to another club in the Premier League, then
that club would own him outright."
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes a compromise is needed
because the current economic situation has changed drastically
since Tevez was signed on loan two years ago with a view to a
permanent deal.
Ferguson told the Sunday Times:
"The demands
originally put to us were unrealistic.
"Like other clubs, we have to be
aware of the consequences of the credit crunch.
"It's no time to be careless about
money.
"As far as Tevez is concerned,
everybody would be best served by a willingness to
compromise."
However Tevez appeared to be confirming his exit from Old
Trafford.
He was quoted as telling Argentine television: "I know I am not
going to continue at Manchester United.
"I feel that they have lacked respect towards me. It's not about
whether they pay £5m more or £5m less, but I feel I have been badly
treated."
Gill admitted he had not seen those comments, but
said: "If Carlos said that, I think it's borne out of frustration.
If I speak to him at the dressing room or training ground he's
always personable and friendly.
"He and his advisers have to understand these are
big decisions to be taken with large amounts of money, and the
timeline isn't as quick as some people would want it to
be."
