Carlos Tevez, dubbed the 'Electric Mouse' by Sir Alex Ferguson, is putting a permanent move to Manchester United at risk by demanding pay parity with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Talks between United and the Argentina striker's advisers have stalled because of £120,000-a-week demands from the 24-year-old, who has repeatedly stated his desire to stay at Old Trafford.
Ferguson and United have agreed a fee of £32million with Tevez's owners, MSI, £4m of which has already been paid during Tevez's two-year loan spell at the club.
But personal terms are proving a sticking point, with United offering £80,000 a week rather than placing him among their highest earners, including European player of the year Ronaldo and regular captain Rio Ferdinand.
Tevez, due to arrive back in England today after being allowed to spend time in Argentina for family reasons, is now allowed to talk to other interested parties Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
But United are determined they will not be blackmailed into clinching a deal for the player and Ferguson is not putting pressure on chief executive David Gill to go 'the extra mile' to sign him.
'The Tevez situation doesn't concern me long term,' said Ferguson, who hopes the player's wish to continue at United will prove an influence in his final decision about accepting United's terms.
Tevez will not be available for today's FA Cup third-round tie at Southampton, where Dimitar Berbatov will hope to build on his winning goal against Middlesbrough on Monday night, following a slow start to his Old Trafford career.
Berbatov has scored only three Premier League goals since a record £31m move from Spurs and Ferguson believes the reason for his struggle is that United's players do not realise how good he is and are too reluctant to pass to him.
Ferguson said: 'I don't think we are using him enough. He is one of those players who can take a ball under pressure because he is so well balanced and has great upper body strength.
'Eastern European players can get their body between the man and the ball and you can never get it off them.'
Ferguson has ruled out any more January deals after the £17m signings of young Serbians Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade.
England midfielder Owen Hargreaves is due have a second operation on his right knee on January 15 as he tries to cure a long-standing tendinitis problem.
Former England international Alan Shearer was able to resume his career after a similar operation and Hargreaves hopes to be fully fit for next season.
"it seems that ferguson isnt showing his sheer determination to bring this saga to an end...moreover, after signing 2 players from serbia, for 17 mil...i hope that both parties can come to an agreement..im pretty sure that it's not tevez who is asking for pay rise, but his company MLS Star...im very2 sure..i just dont want his ability is used against us...coz we know what he can do, and what he is designed to..."
If I could give you diamonds
for each tear you cried for me.
If I could give you sapphires
for each truth you’ve helped me see.
If I could give you rubies
for the heartache that you’ve known
If I could give you pearls
for the wisdom that you’ve shown.
Then you’ll have a treasure, mother,
that would mount up to the skies
That would almost match
the sparkle in your kind and loving eyes.
But I have no pearls, no diamonds,
As I’m sure you’re well aware
So I’ll give you gifts more precious
My devotion, love and care.
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