When Carlos Tevez swapped the affluent and metropolitan streets of Sao Paulo for the pie and mash and greasy spoon filled roads of East London nine years ago, heads were understandably turned.
However, this move from Corinthians to West Ham United – along with team-mate Javier Mascherano sent shockwaves through the world of football as it was the first involving third party ownership that took place right in the public domain.
Supposedly many other Premier League team turned down the opportunity to sign the duo due to the complicated nature of the transfer put in place by third party owners MSI and Global Soccer Agencies who each owned the rights to the players.
Tevez made his debut for West Ham at 22 years old in September 2006 as the team played out a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. As the season progressed the Argentine became integral to The Irons survival chances and was even named Hammer of the Year. He celebrated this triumph with perhaps his most memorable and ineffaceable moment in a West Ham shirt, scoring the only goal against Manchester United to escape relegation on the final day of the season.
This propelled the striker to a new level of stardom and set the wheels in motion for a decorated career in Europe. This came first with red half of Manchester and then the blue of Manchester City before moving to Italy and sweeping up honours in the shirt of Juventus.
However, a year until the tenth anniversary of that famous and controversial move to Upton Park rumours have surfaced that Tevez could return to Sao Paulo based club.
Corinthians are said to be keen on resigning the fans favourite who has eight goals in 12 matches for current club Boca Juniors. The club are keen to boost their chances in next years Copa Libertadores and their bargaining power could be strengthened as they are still owned money from the Argentinian club from the sale of Nicolas Lodeiro earlier this year.
If Tevez was to make a move back to Brazil it would represent a significant milestone in the 31’s year olds career as he completes a full circle since his first voyage to England.
