Tevez seems to have made his mind up to leave

Argentina international Tevez, 23, said on Saturday he had his heart set on a move to "one of Europe's top clubs".

But Magnusson said: "We will try to convince him to stay. The fans love him and he knows that.

"I am at least optimistic that he will stay. I think we will talk in two weeks' time as Carlos is in Argentina at the moment."

But speaking to The Sun newspaper on Saturday, Tevez appeared to have made his mind up.

"I want to join one of Europe's big clubs, that's what I've talked to my agents about," he said.

"I don't know about interest from Real Madrid but it makes me happy such an important club is interested in me."

Whether he stays at Upton Park or leaves, Tevez's decision is likely to cause yet more controversy over the summer.

The Hammers were fined a record �5.5m by an independent commission for breaching Premier League rules when they signed him in August.

However, the club escaped a points deduction which would have effectively doomed them to relegation and Sheffield United went down instead.

The Blades have requested arbitration on the matter, but the Premier League have yet to reveal whether this will be granted - despite newspaper reports on Sunday to the contrary.

An arbitration panel would not have the power to change the punishment received by West Ham but it could find the original process faulty and demand that the commission review its decision.