Carlos Tevez is expected to complete his £25.5million move to Manchester City at the beginning of next week, bringing to an end one of the longest running transfer sagas of the summer.

According to a report in The Times, City are hoping to conclude a deal for the 25-year-old Argentine hitman before they jet off to South Africa on their pre-season tour on Wednesday where they are due to take part in the Vodacom Challenge against Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, before playing one of the sides in the final on July 25th.

The proposed move for the diminutive forward, who has spent the previous two seasons on loan at City's neighbours Manchester United, has been delayed due to the amount of work required to ensure there is no trace of any third-party ownership arrangement, with the Media Investment Group (MSI) cuurently holding the player's registration.

Tevez is expected to sign a five-year deal worth £110,000-a-week and will become City boss Mark Hughes' fourth summer signing at Eastlands following the arrivals of Aston Villa duo Stuart Taylor and Gareth Barry and Blackburn Rovers' Paraguayan hitman Roque Santa Cruz.