Manchester City hope to finally secure Tevez

Manchester City are hopeful of clinching the signature of Carlos Tevez before they head off for a three-match tour of South Africa on Wednesday

Carlos Tevez has been tipped to land at Eastlands since informing Manchester United he would not be making his "lease" deal permanent.

The South American's subsequent stinging attack on Sir Alex Ferguson has not endeared him to the Red Devils faithful, nor former United striker and current academy director Brian McClair, who branded Tevez "disrespectful" for claiming he should have started the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in May.

However, his stock will have risen among the Blues support, who will have noticed how effective Tevez's all-action style can be.

City officials have always been quietly confident of getting their man.

Aware of the complexities surrounding the Argentina star - who would have to join the Blues under normal contract conditions, rather than the third-party status that caused such controversy when it was unearthed at West Ham - City have been reluctant to appear too bullish.

Yet, if talk of a medical, which would have to take place tomorrow when the player returns from holiday, proves to be accurate ahead of a departure for South Africa, Tevez could then join fellow new recruits Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz.

City are also monitoring John Terry's situation with interest as the Chelsea skipper continues to give the impression of wanting to talk with the Blues hierarchy.

Terry is said to have had a meeting with Roman Abramovich this weekend and is bound to have raised concerns about the failure to land any of the big-name targets that were put to him as possible signings last spring.

Fearing another season without either the Premier League or Champions League trophies despite the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, Terry's head is sure to have been turned to some extent by the offer of a massive salary, said to be way beyond his current £135,000-a-week deal.

It is claimed City are ready with a third bid for the 28-year-old, which may just be enough to trigger a formal transfer request.