Tevez could be bought for a record British transfer fee

Manchester United hope to make forward Carlos Tevez a permanent signing before the end of 2008.

His two-year loan deal ends in the summer of 2009 and reports claim United will pay his sports investment firm owners MSI a British record of �32m.

United chief executive David Gill said of the 24-year-old Argentine: "We know what we have to do and pay but would have to sort out a long-term deal.

"It's not an issue. We can do it from now until December."

606: DEBATE Do you think it is a bit unfair of Man United to say that Chelsea are buying their trophies? Spurticus

"We will help him accelerate the deal to make sure it goes through," Joorabchian said.

"It looks like it should happen - but we don't know the timing, whether it will be a month, two or six.

"But we'll make sure when the time is right everything is done smoothly."

The current British transfer fee record is the �30m paid to AC Milan by Chelsea in 2006 for the services of Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Tevez was cleared to sign for United in August 2007 after a spell at West Ham in which he helped the club stave off relegation that same year.

Questions over his ownership and eligibility while playing for the Hammers also led to the Premier League deciding to tighten its rules.

Meanwhile, United midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes Tevez's strike partner Wayne Rooney will "explode" during the 2008/2009 season.

The England striker was not at his best for much of last season and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson conceded last week: "We need to define his role a bit better and I have to take some responsibility for that.

"I think he has sacrificed himself for the team, which says a lot about the lad because he never complained.

"We have played him wide and in other positions - he would play at centre-half if we asked him to."

Technically, he is out of this world but maybe he could look out for himself a little bit more Owen Hargreaves on Wayne Rooney

"Ability-wise I believe he is the best in England and I am confident he will be one of the most influential in the Premier League this year.

"I am really looking forward to seeing him explode because it is rare to come across someone with so much talent who is so unselfish."

He added: "Technically, he is out of this world but maybe he could look out for himself a little bit more.

"When we played Aston Villa in the FA Cup last season he was only on the field for 20 minutes and he won the game.

"Not many players can do that and it is no coincidence we were so successful last year with Wayne and Carlos Tevez working so hard up front.