With West Ham agreeing to accept whatever ruling Fifa settle on the whole affair looks set to be resolved before the transfer window closes on 31 August.

Yesterday, Fifa spokesman Andreas Herren said: "My understanding is that a senior lawyer from the FA will come to Zurich to meet our senior legal people."

Manchester United chief executive David Gill . . . despite declaring his optimism Tevez would be a United player . . . meanwhile conceded, "Fifa and the necessary bodies will try to make sure that the player can play, whether it's for United or West Ham. I think they will do everything they can to make sure the decision is made within the appropriate period."

Tevez . . . just back from the Copa America where he further endeared himself to the Argentina fans who know him as Carlitos, despite the country's defeat to Brazil in the final . . . is registered as a West Ham player, but businessman Kia Joorabchian claims he owns the striker's economic rights and is therefore entitled to any transfer fee. If Tevez is to stay in English football however he may need to cut his so-called "ownership" links with Kia However, the Hammers ripped up an agreement they had with Joorabchian . . . which broke league rules . . . and they now claim any deal with United can only go ahead with their say-so. The Premier League is also insisting that any fee must go to West Ham.

Gill added: "The issue is effectively who owns the economic rights to the player, who owns the registration of that player, and therefore what happens to any monies that we might pay. Can he unilaterally terminate his registration? Can he move on? That's the fundamental issue. Theoretically, you can go from the Dispute Resolution Chamber [at Fifa] to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Whether both parties choose to do that, we'll have to see, but that would be the final arbiter."

Meanwhile, speculation also rumbles on players leaving Old Trafford. Liverpool had a �6million bid for Gabriel Heinze turned down, with Alex Ferguson determined not to sell the Argentine defender to a close rival, but there could be interest from Juventus and Real Madrid to come. Liverpool will apparently switch their attentions to Italian U21 leftback Giorgio Chiellini for similiar money.

Alan Smith looks likely to leave though, with Everton and Middlesbrough both having stated their intentions and Giuseppe Rossi could be on his way back to Parma.

Elsewhere in the big four, Arsene Wenger has expressed no desire to sign any more strikers this summer, putting talk of a move for Nicolas Anelka to bed. While over at Chelsea, there are conflicting reports as to whether Arjen Robben is heading to Real Madrid . . . Jose Mourinho has stated that he's going to remain a Chelsea player while new Real manager Bernd Schuster seems equally determined that Robben will be at the Bernabeu next season. Chelsea meanwhile are said to be interested in Dutch under-21 star defender Royston Drenthe of Feyenoord.

Sunderland had a busy start to the week, snapping up Kieran Richardson for �5.5million from Manchester United and also picking up Norwich midfielder Dickson Etuhu for �1.5million. Wigan full-back Leighton Baines is still thought to be a target for Roy Keane and the Black Cats could make a renewed effort to snatch the England under-21 player.

Strikers are very much on the minds of some of the mid-tier English clubs this week.

Sven Goran Eriksson looks to be interested in bringing Yakubu to Man City from Middlesbrough for in the region of �12million, while Portsmouth are said to have made a �5.5million bid to bring Fredi Kanoute back to England from Sevilla. Birmingham have splashed out �6million to Spurs for striker Mido. Everton are in talks with Borussia Dortmund about midfieler Steven Pienaar, while West Ham have been linked with a �4million bid for Newcastle's Kieron Dyer.

One former top-class striker finds himself moving down a division meanwhile, as Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler agreed to join Cardiff on a two-year contract. The 32-yearold striker was released by Rafael Benitez at the end of last season and had rejected moves to Leicester City and Sydney FC.

Sydney FC had hoped to lure Fowler, and chief executive George Perry said: "We're bitterly disappointed but we're satisfied we did everything we could to persuade Robbie. Robbie was tremendously impressed by what he saw in Sydney but he's chosen to go elsewhere." Fowler's representative George Scott responded, however, saying: "He was incredibly impressed with them and the city. The only thing is that Robbie is a Premiership player and he is used to Premiership money.

Perry meanwhile countered, "The Premiership is unique in terms of crazy money.

That money is well beyond Sydney and the Australian league. It is a battle between money and quality of life, and quality of life counts for a lot of money. All the money in the world is not going to buy your family's happiness."

A few strikers on the move from an Irish point of view. Stephen Elliot has gone back under Mick McCarthy's wing at Wolves, joining other Irish hopefuls Andy Keogh and Stephen Ward. And after all the speculation over the last six months, Roy O'Donovan finally looks to be on the move from Cork City, Fulham being the likeliest destination. Both Fulham and Southend have lodged bids but with the option of football in the top league and Lawrie Sanchez willing to pay over 400,000, O'Donovan should end up at Craven Cottage.

Alan Lee has turned down a new contract at Ipswich which could open up his move to Hull.