No less than five major clubs are circling for Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. The Times says Manchester City and Liverpool are among five leading clubs who have agreed to pay the £25 million needed to sign Tévez.

Another English club and two foreign clubs, one of which is understood to be Real Madrid, have also offered to match the fee that Kia Joorabchian, who fronts the companies that own Tévez's economic rights, is demanding for the player, but that United have so far balked at paying.