Controversial move

Despite the success of Tevez and Mascherano, their registrations were owned by third parties - a contravention of Premier League rules.

West Ham were fined for their role in the transfer deals, but Tevez had worked his magic and was promptly on his way to Manchester United.

At Old Trafford, Tevez helped the side to two league titles, the 2008 Champions League and 2008 FIFA Club World Cup.

But his relationship with manager Alex Ferguson soured and he sealed a controversial move to United's arch-rivals Manchester City in July 2009.

Following his arrival, an infamous billboard stating 'Welcome to Manchester' with a picture of Tevez in a City shirt made his former employers at United boil.

Tevez's first two seasons at City were highly productive and he wore the captain's armband during the 2011 FA Cup victory against Stoke City, which broke a barren run of 35 years without a major trophy for the club.

Having previously handed in a transfer request to leave City, Tevez had a public falling out with manager Roberto Mancini in September 2011 when he refused to warm up as a substitute during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich.

Fined two week's wages, Tevez returned to Argentina for almost four months where he was often pictured playing golf.

It looked likely he would be sold in the January transfer window, but the talisman returned to England in February 2012 and contributed to Manchester City's first Premier League title in 44 years.

Tevez scored 17 goals in his final season at the club last term as their hopes of retaining the title faded and he faced off-field drama following his admission of driving while disqualified and without insurance.

With Tevez entering the final year of a lucrative contract and new manager Manuel Pellegrini at the helm, City were keen to reduce a sky rocketing wage bill to comply with UEFA's financial fair play rules and avoid a potential free transfer.

His departure could open the door for a new arrival such as Napoli's Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, with City having already recruited Jesus Navas and Fernandinho in the close season.