Liverpool FC Forum

by **adamnbarrett** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:26 pm

West Ham United are delighted to announce the double signing of Argentinian World Cup stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Brazilian club Corinthians.

The pair have been signed for an undisclosed fee and put pen to paper on permanent contracts with the Club this afternoon. All other aspects of the transfers will remain confidential and undisclosed.

The transfers represent a massive coup for the Hammers, who have beaten off some of Europe's biggest clubs to secure the services of the duo - both of whom played a key role for Argentina as they reached the World Cup quarter-finals in Germany this summer before losing to the hosts in a penalty shoot-out.

Tevez, 22, is widely regarded as one of the most talented young strikers in the world. Labelled by many as 'the new Diego Maradona', he began his career with Boca Juniors, making his debut at the age of 17 and going on to become a cult hero at the Bombonera Stadium.

The Argentine football writers voted him Footballer of the Year in 2003 and 2004, and also Sportsman of the Year in 2004, after he had led Boca to the Argentine championship and the Copa Libertadores.

In December 2004, Tevez moved to Corinthians in a $22.6million deal - the biggest ever in South American football. Initially, he wasn't well received in the country of Argentina's greatest rivals, but soon won the supporters over and became captain as the club secured the Brazilian championship in 2005.

He appeared in every one of Argentina's five games at the World Cup finals in June, scoring a goal in the memorable 6-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro, and winning the man of the match award in the 0-0 draw with Holland. He currently has 25 full international caps to his name, and has scored four goals for his country.

Javier Mascherano, also 22, is a highly-rated defensive midfielder who earned rave reviews for his performances at the World Cup finals in the summer, when he provided the steely backbone behind Argentina's attacking style of play.

Like his good friend Tevez, Mascherano left an Argentinian club - River Plate, the great rivals of Boca Juniors - to join Corinthians in 2004, for a fee of $15million, and helped to play a key role in their title success last year.

With 20 caps for the national team, he is considered one of the county's hottest properties, and has also been linked with a number of top European clubs recently.

Both Carlos and Javier are currently in London preparing for Argentina's showcase friendly match against South American rivals Brazil at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Sunday and will be available for selection when Hammers return to Premiership action against Aston Villa next week.

Exclusive reaction from Alan Pardew and both players will follow here on whufc.com soon.

The players have now returned to the Argentinian national team camp and will not be available for any further interviews. West Ham United will make a further announcement later regarding the official unveiling of both players.

-------------------

The bit in bold leaves me asking serious questions.

by **Bad Bob** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:28 pm

Ciggy wrote:
dawson99 wrote:paranoid much dudette?

LOL no not para but Manure wanted Tevez and offered 30 million for him, so why would he go to the Appy Ammers?
Who arnt even in the Champions League.
Either Romans behind it or MSI are buying WH.

I'm wondering about the latter scenario, myself Ciggy. My thinking is, if Chelsea wanted them they have the cash to pay for them so I doubt it's some elaborate conspiracy to save some money by getting them in at West Ham for a season to see how they adapt. Perhaps this MSI is on the verge of acquiring the Hammers and this is their first "payment" to the board!

by **48-1119859832** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:28 pm

Do West Ham own these players or are they still MSI players? Because I can them both going to Chelsea at the end of the season, if Roman has something to do with MSI.

by **dawson99** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:28 pm

so tevez and marachino are going to chelsea next season?
if this happens!

:angry:

by **dawson99** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:28 pm

msi still own them, and roman owns msi

by **Ciggy** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:30 pm

dawson99 wrote:so tevez and marachino are going to chelsea next season?
if this happens!

It will be interesting to see if they play against Chelsea if not then something is going on.
Oh well at least they havent made Manure and Arsenal stronger

by **XSD** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:31 pm

This is pretty unbelievable stuff. Does anyone else feel a bit jealous that bloody west ham, after one season in the prem, have just made 2 signings that are each probably bigger than our record transfer?

by **dawson99** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:32 pm

not jealous here as its mostly politics, u dont reallt hink they are going to the hammers for the football?

by **48-1119859832** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:33 pm

They'll probably play against Chelsea but play poorly, I bet you that Tevez will miss simple sitters against Chelsea. It's nice to know that Chelsea have gone to extreme lengths to weaken their rivals. :no

First it was unsettling key players like Cole, Ferdinand and Gerrard, now it's owning players and making sure they don't go to your rivals.

by **Ciggy** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:36 pm

XSD wrote:This is pretty unbelievable stuff. Does anyone else feel a bit jealous that bloody west ham, after one season in the prem, have just made 2 signings that are each probably bigger than our record transfer?

Nar we have this fella, they dont :;):

by **Bad Bob** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:36 pm

XSD wrote:This is pretty unbelievable stuff. Does anyone else feel a bit jealous that bloody west ham, after one season in the prem, have just made 2 signings that are each probably bigger than our record transfer?

Not in the slightest. I now expect West Ham to start taking points off of the Mancs, Arsenal, Tottenham, etc. We'll see what happens with Chelsea but I'm still not going off the deep end with this Abramovich conspiracy stuff. At least, not so far as to say these two will deffo be playing at the Bridge this time next season. What I will say, though, is that I think he is more than capable of exerting an influence on where these particular "clients" end up and that there might be something to the whole 'stop them from going to the Mancs' angle.

by **48-1119859832** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:40 pm

West Ham - Relegated three years ago.

West Ham - Sell their best players.

West Ham - Are in Debt.

West Ham - Come back up

West Ham - Have one decent cup final match (thanks to us lending a helping hand)

West Ham - Qualify for the UEFA Cup

West Ham - Sign two players at who are worth about £20million each

and some say this doesn't stink? The sums don't add up.

by **48-1119859832** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:42 pm

West Ham United have completed the signings of Argentina duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Corinthians for undisclosed fees.

That says all I need to know, they probably signed them for nothing and they will head off to Chelsea for nothing.

by **Ace Ventura** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:28 pm

The bit that i am unhappy about is that the deal is totally undisclosed, now i know business's have a right to keep dealings behind closed doors but in football in todays day and age surely there should have to be proof that deals are legitimate, the fees involved should be announced as should the length of there contracts and also if West Ham have not been taken over, where the money has come from.
I am gobsmacked by this, on Sky sports news before one of there reporters said that Tevez alone had a valuation of 68 million 2 years ago. There is something seriously murky about this and contrary to what others think its not good for football.

by **GOAT** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:30 pm

Totally gobsmacked about this..loan deals would have been a big enough surprise but PERMANENT transfers! Why cant we do deals like that!

Nah theres something going on, chelsea will have something to do with it no doubt

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