MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson is homing in on a £20million-plus deal for Carlos Tevez - and plans to do the deal inside 48 hours.
Ferguson has told his money men to get the Argentine striker and a delegation has gone to South America to get to the bottom of how exactly United can buy the controversial star.
Tevez is playing for his country in the Copa America, but his club future is being decided in talks between United and his handlers - plus former Brazilian club Corinthians.
United hope to sign Tevez for around £20m, but will go higher if necessary. However, they expect their cash on the table will see off rivals like Real Madrid, West Ham and even Manchester City.
Liverpool backed down because of the price.
The Old Trafford plan is to bring a 'clean' end to the saga by paying enough cash to the rightful owners of the star forward - one of the most wanted men in the game.
Media Sports Investments, who have a stake in Corinthians, claim they have the economic rights to Tevez - and that he has only been at Upton Park on an extended 'loan'.
The whole affair has confused and angered football. Real Madrid were keen on Tevez but would prefer to pay over a period of time. That has left the way open for United to use their financial muscle to close the deal before the weekend.