The Carlos Tevez saga will edge closer to a conclusion today with the Premier League's chairman, Dave Richards, apparently having indicated a softer line from his organisation.

Central to the recent progress is what should be perceived as the market value of Tevez, which would nominally be upwards of €30 million. But meetings took place last week between West Ham United and Richards, in which the club argued that there are several factors which reduce his value to them.

With Tevez having made it clear that he no longer wants to play for the club - he turned down the offer of an improved contract at Upton Park - and with the threat of a court action hanging over them, West Ham feel a significantly reduced fee would be appropriate.

Richards indicated a readiness to relinquish the demand that, having torn up the contracts with Media Sports Investment and Just Sports Inc that governed Tevez' career, the club should treat him as their own asset and demand a market-rate fee for him to move to Manchester United.

The shift in the focus of the negotiations is a result of the writ that was issued last week against West Ham by MSI-JSI. If court action is forced, Tevez could spend the first five months of the season on the sidelines while lawyers debate who owns him; a negotiated settlement would permit him to move to Manchester United before the August 31st transfer deadline.

Should the courts decide after the start of the season that the contract that prevails is held by MSI-JSI and not that registration document held by West Ham, then in principle there is nothing to prevent his move to Old Trafford with the companies taking the money. However, should they find in favour of West Ham, he would not be able to move until the January transfer window when West Ham would be the sole beneficiary of any fee.

The league's board - Richards, the chief executive, Richard Scudamore, and the general secretary, Mike Foster - will meet today to discuss a proposal under which MSI-JSI would pay a fee to West Ham in return for them renouncing their claims to his playing contract and registration.

It is envisaged the offshore companies would then be permitted to receive a transfer fee from Manchester United, with whom terms have been agreed on the prospective move, which could be closer to his market value. The deal will be approved only if Richards can persuade Scudamore - who handed over responsibility for the talks to his chairman before flying to Hong Kong for the Asia Trophy last week - and Foster of its effectiveness.

If the league agrees, one remaining variable is how much money should change hands between MSI-JSI and West Ham.

Tevez has extended his holiday in Spain until later this week in the hope that his transfer to Old Trafford will be settled by the time of his return.

He was due to fly back to England yesterday but, with negotiations advancing on his contract, has postponed it until Wednesday at the earliest.

Meanwhile, two of West Ham's summer signings, Freddie Ljungberg and Craig Bellamy, scored as West Ham eased to a 3-1 win at Southend on Saturday.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes hopes Roque Santa Cruz will have the same kind of impact in his debut season in England as Benni McCarthy.

The Paraguay striker will have his first training session today after sealing a four-year deal at Ewood Park. Santa Cruz (25) aims to make the most of his challenge after a reported €5.2 million move from Bayern Munich.

Hughes is proving to be a shrewd operator in the transfer market and secured McCarthy's services from Porto for €3.75 million. The South African responded with 24 goals in all competitions for the club.

Now Santa Cruz will be hoping to follow suit. "Hopefully he can settle in like Benni. He gives us something a little bit different up front," said Hughes. "If he does half as well as Benni last season then we will all be thrilled.

"I am delighted to get Santa Cruz. He brings quality and great technical ability. He is going to complement the very good strikers I have here. Competition is always good. I am very excited at what is in store."

Freddy Shepherd has not been able to resist firing a parting shot at Michael Owen in the week in which his 10-year tenure as Newcastle chairman came to an end.

Shepherd, who has made clear his frustration over Owen's injury-hit St James' Park career, said Owen had work to do to repay the fans' loyalty.

He said: "I think he owes Newcastle quite a lot, I'll put it as bluntly as that. I think he's played more times for England than he has for Newcastle, so I think he owes the supporters quite a lot."

Owen has played only 13 games for the club since joining for €25.5 million from Real Madrid two years ago.

Guardian Service