This might have been what Tevez's representative, Kia Joorabchian, referred to on Tuesday in an interview with Sky Sports News. "It is a big deal and a tough deal, because it is one of a very big nature and it might not be simple," said Joorabchian. "We wait to see. First and foremost we have to respect that City have to make a formal answer. If they do accept, then everyone will be running to make it happen. If they don't we will have to see what other options would be available for him."
It would be a remarkable turn of events for Joorabchian and MSI if it did part-own Tevez. The Argentina international and the Iranian football consultant have been close since Joorabchian was the Corinthians executive who paid $22m (then £11.4m) to take Tevez to São Paulo from Boca Juniors.
Joorabchian had the job after $35m was promised to Corinthians to fund player transfers in return for a 51% share of the profits at the club and things went well, with Corinthians becoming champions in 2005. But when arrest warrants were issued for Joorabchian and several of his associates over money-laundering allegations, Corinthians' agreement with MSI was dissolved and all ties were severed.
A spokesman for the São Paulo regional office of the federal prosecution service confirmed on Tuesday that the investigation of the MSI-Corinthians partnership is still under way – however, the arrest warrants have long since been withdrawn.
Notoriously that was not the end of the controversy involving Joorabchian and Tevez. MSI carried over its interest in the transfer rights to Tevez and this third-party involvement with the striker was deemed illegal under Premier League rules. Ultimately it led to West Ham United having to pay £27.5m in compensation to Sheffield United. When Tevez signed for Manchester United in August 2007 he did so on loan; when he moved to City, they had to buy out MSI and Joorabchian. Reportedly that cost Sheikh Mansour £47m, though Joorabchian denies it.
Generally, said Somoggi, any external investor would be taking risks by funding Corinthians' move for Tevez. "It is a big gamble as potential investors will not have guarantees that the costs can be recovered," he said. But that might be a gamble Joorabchian, whose association with Tevez has been lucrative over the years, is prepared to take.
