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Tevez medical at Man Utd held up by West Ham

LONDON: Argentina striker Carlos Tevez flew into Manchester on Tuesday night following his country's 3-0 defeat by Brazil in the Copa America final, but his hopes of having a medical with Premier League champions United were blocked.

British media reported that his current team West Ham United withheld permission for a medical to be carried out with a view to his transfer after talks with the Old Trafford club broke down at the Premier League's headquarters in London.

A West Ham spokesman was quoted as saying: "Meetings have taken place between the two clubs but no agreement has been reached in relation to Carlos Tevez."

Brazilian Geovanni signs for Manchester City

LONDON: Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Geovanni on a one-year contract, the club said on its website.

The 27-year-old, who last played for Brazilian club Cruzeiro, had been on trial at Premier League rivals Portsmouth, and appeared in their friendly match with third division Yeovil last weekend.

It is the former England manager's third signing of the close season following the arrivals of Swiss midfielder Gelson Fernandes and striker Rolando Bianchi from Italina club Reggina.

Giuly to switch from Barcelona to Roma

MADRID: French midfielder Ludovic Giuly is poised to leave Barcelona and sign a three-year deal with AS Roma for a fee of up to 4.5 million euros ($6.21 million), the Primera Liga side said on Tuesday.

"The agreement with Roma is closed but the player has yet to sign his contract," Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain was quoted as saying by the club's website. "He's undergoing a medical right now."

The 31-year-old joined Barca from Monaco in 2004 after helping the Ligue 1 club to reach the final of the Champions League.

He won two league titles with the Catalans and was part of the side that beat Arsenal in the final of the Champions League in 2006 but faded out of contention last season.

Olazabal pulls out of British Open with knee injury

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland: Twice former U.S. Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal has pulled out of the British Open with a knee injury, organisers said on Tuesday.

The Spaniard was already doubtful for the event, which starts on Thursday, after withdrawing from last week's Scottish Open because of the problem with his left knee.

He had been scheduled to tee off with Briton Graeme McDowell and U.S. Masters champion Zach Johnson and his place will be taken by American Tom Pernice Jr.

The 41-year-old Spaniard, who won the Masters in 1994 and 1999, withdrew from the 1995 Ryder Cup with a foot problem.

He was eventually diagnosed with rheumatoid polyarthritis in three joints of his right foot and two in his left.

Olazabal returned to golf after an 18-month absence during which he could often not even get out of bed.

(China Daily 07/19/2007 page23)