Tevez risks Fergie ire with outburst over stalled deal

Carlos Tevez has risked jeopordising his chances of securing a long-term Manchester United contract by going public with his frustration over the lack of progress towards a permanent transfer.Tevez has been on loan at Old Trafford for 18 months and United had been expected to take up an option to buy him from MSI, a group of South American investors to whom the Argentina striker is contracted.There has, however, been no progress towards a deal and Tevez has acknowledged for the first time that his future could lie elsewhere.”If they don't sort out my future, there are other clubs ready to negotiate with my representative,” the 24-year-old told The Sun newspaper.”I'm told United will offer me a deal but I don't know,” Tevez added in comments published on Tuesday. “I love it at United and the fans are special to me but I also understand football.”If another club offered me the security of a five-year deal then I'd have to consider it.”According to the newspaper, Tevez contacted The Sun to counter speculation that his wage demands were blocking a deal. “I haven't asked for what (Cristiano) Ronaldo gets or what (Wayne) Rooney gets,” he said. “I have never said anything about what I should be paid because we have never had any talks.”Tevez's version of events directly contradicts that of Sir Alex Ferguson, who recently suggested that contract negotiations were underway but had hit an impasse.As such, Tevez's comments are unlikely to be well-received by the United manager, who has a long track record of quickly jettisoning players who are seen to challenge his authority.The United boss will also have been unimpressed by comments attributed to Tevez in which the striker appeared to encourage a bid from Real Madrid, whose officials have enraged Ferguson with their attempts to lure Ronaldo to the Spanish capital.”Who wouldn't want to play for Real Madrid,” Tevez was widely quoted as having told a Spanish magazine.Under the terms of the two-year loan deal that saw Tevez move to United following a successful first season in England with West Ham, United can sign the striker permanently for a payment of 22 million pounds on top of the ten million pounds they have already paid MSI. The size of the transfer fee may now present a stumbling block in what is a much less certain economic environment than when Tevez arrived at Old Trafford.United's thinking will inevitably also be influenced by the fact that Tevez has been relegated to the role of back-up striker this season following the close season acquisition of Dimitar Berbatov.The Bulgarian is regarded by Ferguson as a more effective foil for Rooney, although Tevez remains hugely popular among United fans.The 24-year-old is expected to get a rare chance to impress by starting in the League Cup semi-final first leg at Championship side Derby on Wednesday.