West Ham United pulled off one of the most audacious transfers in the modern game in signing Argentina’s Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Brazilian Corinthians club. They had been expected to pick a more salubrious destination than Upton Park.

Both players are 22 and starred for their country at this year’s World Cup in Germany. Tevez has been touted to be the next Diego Maradona more for his playing ability than his short stocky appearance.  The players registrations are held by London based Media Sports Investment (MSI) who paid just under $35 million to their previous clubs to allow them to play for Corinthians.

The deals are permanent and the fees have not been disclosed it is believed that West Ham will only receive a small percentage of any fee should they sell the players. Which only leads to heighten the rumour and speculation that already surrounds the transfer. From interference from Roman Abramovich using West Ham as a feeder club, to MSI using West Ham to increase the price of their investments by playing the Argentineans in the UEFA Cup and Premiership. Which could help MSI recoup their initial outlay from a big money transfer to another premiership club, or to one of the European footballing superpowers.