The Most Expensive Transfer in Premier League History is...Carlos Tevez?

Paul Doyle of The Guardian once described Carlos Tevez as “the rich man’s Dirk Kuyt.” That man may be far more rich than we thought.

Carlos Tevez left Manchester United for Manchester City, in a deal that reportedly paid Tevez’ handlers £25.5m. According to a new report in The Times, Tevez’ fee may really be £47m, nearly twice the initial figure. If true, that would dwarf the previous British transfer record – City’s buy of Robinho for £34.2m – and be the fifth largest transfer in history.

According to the Times, Kia Joorabchian’s consortium received an initial £15m payment, with two £16m payments to follow, bringing the total to £47m. The Times also claims the consortium receive an additional £3.5m, if City win the Champions League with Tevez.

Tevez has fans and detractors. I’d lump myself in the fan category.

He never quite fit at Manchester United, but showed how ferocious he can be in flashes. He never received a consistent run in the team, particularly after Dimitar Berbatov arrived at the club. He also battled for position with Rooney and Ronaldo.

Given a focal role, as he had at the end of his season at West Ham, he could dominate. Whether he receives that chance at Manchester City, with a similar log jam up front is questionable.

Allowed to play, Tevez could be great, but £47m? That’s absurd. Is there a player in the Premier League who would command that fee? Is there a player a club would reject that fee for? Torres? Rooney? Fabregas?

If £47m was the sum under discussion for Tevez, it seems we have a clear reason Manchester United let him leave.