One By One They Drop Out Of Owen Chase

Last Updated : 08-Jul-2007 by
Well, Sir Alex Ferguson refused to rule out a bid for Owen, and was even willing to throw Alan Smith into the deal. But, that too seems to have changed now they have Carlos Tevez in their sights.

The West Ham player today said he won't go back on his promise to Sir Alex Ferguson that he will join Manchester United.

The Argentine striker's representatives will try to finalise his hugely-complicated move to Old Trafford within the next week after the deal reached an impasse on Friday night.

The player's agent, Kia Joorabchian, had hoped to announce that a deal was in place already but has been thwarted by the Premier League's insistence that the transfer is conducted through West Ham.

The Hammers for their part threw the proposed move into turmoil by insisting there is no agreement in place for him to join the champions.

But 23-year-old Tevez has given his word to Ferguson that he will join.

Tevez: "Through my backers, I have given my word to Mr Ferguson. They have told him I will be at Manchester United next season and once I make a promise I don't go back on it.

"There isn't a player who would turn down this opportunity and negotiations are too far advanced to go back now."

And all of this is music to the ears of Toon fans who can now seriously believe the England striker will be wearing black and white this coming season.