TRANSFER BATTLES: Tevez, Higuain, Alcantarra, Villa, Soldado, Baines, Ronaldo, Mendy

Juventus last night confirmed the signing of striker Carlos Tevez from Manchester City on a three-year deal. Reports indicate that the Turin club have paid an initial £10million for the 29-year-old, rising to £12m with add-ons.

But Tevez must complete his 250 hours of community service before cutting his ties with England or face going back to court



The City striker broke off from a holiday in South America to fly to Italy yesterday but he has to complete the sentence handed out by Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court in April for driving while disqualified and without insurance.

A police source said last night it was understood the Argentine had not completed his order, with offenders allowed to work a maximum of 35 hours a week.

Tevez could possibly complete the order before Juventus begin pre-season training on July 12.

But the 29-year-old has been warned he faces a more severe punishment if he tries to leave England for good without serving his sentence or going back to court.



A probation service spokesperson said last night: ‘Offenders must serve the sentences. Anyone who fails to do so will have action taken against them.’

Tevez was mobbed by around 200 Juventus fans when he landed in Milan yesterday before being taken to the club’s headquarters to undergo a medical.

He is thought to have become Juve’s highest-paid player on £4.6m a year.

Tevez, who was also linked to AC Milan, later waved a club shirt at supporters and said: ‘I am very happy to be at Juve, as this is a great satisfaction for me. Juve wanted me more than Milan.’

Gonzalo Higuain's brother has confirmed that the Real Madrid striker is on the verge of joining Arsenal in a £22million deal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been given in excess of £70m to spend this summer and Higuain's signature has been his No 1 priority for some time.

Juventus were also monitoring the 25-year-old's situation but they have sealed a deal with Higuain's international team-mate Carlos Tevez.



The striker's brother Nicolas Higuain told Italian website www.tuttomercatoweb.com: 'If Tevez joins Juve, is Higuain closer to Arsenal? I think so.

'Juventus is a great club, but Gonzalo is too expensive for them.

'Napoli are a strong team. Having said that, I cannot deny that Gonzalo is now close to Arsenal.'

Higuain's signature will smash Arsenal's club record transfer fee and he is expected to be on £150,000-a-week at the Emirates.



Barcelona will hold last-ditch talks with Thiago Alcantara to try and persuade the Spain midfielder to turn down a move to Manchester United.

The Premier League champions have agreed personal terms of £5.5million-a-year with Thiago and his father, former Brazil World Cup winner Mazinho, and are confident of wrapping up a £17m transfer.

Barca still hope to persuade the 22-year-old that he will be a ‘leader’ at the club for years to come but he remains unconvinced after struggling to secure a first-team place.

Thiago has gone on holiday leaving his father and representatives to hold talks with the Spanish champions, and they are expected to tell Barcelona that he wants to quit the Nou Camp for Old Trafford.



Tottenham's Technical director Franco Baldini will hold talks with David Villa before the end of the week as the Premier League club intensify their move for the Barcelona forward.

Villa is currently in Brazil helping Spain's bid for the Confederations Cup as they prepare to face Italy in today's semi-final, while the Spurs target netted a hat-trick against minnows Tahiti.

Tottenham also have a strong interest in Valencia striker Roberto Soldado and Internacional forward Leandro Damiao.

And Spurs are also looking to steal a march on Arsenal and Roma for Dinamo Zagreb's young defender Tin Jedvaj. Roma had offered £5million for the 17-year-old yet Arsenal then emerged as favourites.

However, Tottenham are understood to have bid £6.5m for the hotly-tipped youngster.



Everton left back Leighton Baines is looking forward to working with new manager Roberto Martinez and believes the quality of the club's squad will give the Spaniard every chance of success.

The England defender was one of the players immediately linked with a summer transfer following the departure of boss David Moyes to Manchester United.

However, the 28-year-old is eager to start work on a new philosophy under Martinez and believes he and his team-mates can make it effective at Goodison Park.



'He was one of the first names linked with the job and the feeling straight away was he would be a great appointment,' he said.

'He has a different style to what we have been used to but I think it is progressive and it will move us forward.

'It is also exciting for the players to be able to try that now.

'The style in general appeals to a lot of people. Wigan were a great side to watch - they just didn't win enough games.

'But the manager will be working with some better players here and he will be looking forward to that as well now, being able to put his plan out there.

Cristiano Ronaldo could be on his way back to Manchester United as it has emerged he is due to meet Old Trafford officials in the next three days.

The Real Madrid star had been linked with a move back to England after an unhappy campaign at the Bernabeu but it was hoped the arrival of new boss Carlo Ancelotti would persuade him to stay in Spain.

And Spanish paper El Pais are reporting that the Portugal captain could meet with United officials before heading back to pre-season training in Madrid.



Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has secured a deal for Le Havre defender Benjamin Mendy.

Arsenal had offered £2.5million for the youngster, but French Ligue 2 club Le Havre wanted double the Gunners' bid. The 18-year-old left-back will become the latest young recruit for the Sunderland boss, as he looks to alternative to Tottenham full-back Danny Rose, who spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light.

Earlier this week Le Havre confirmed they were in negotiations with an unnamed Premier League side for the signature of Mendy, with Arsenal and Cardiff also linked to the teenager.