Manchester United last night appeared to have won the race to sign Carlos Tévez. The West Ham United forward, who is playing in the Copa America in Venezuela, has told his Argentina teammates that a deal has been agreed for him to play at Old Trafford next season.

Tévez has been coveted by some of the top European clubs this summer, including Inter Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid, after his rousing performances and seven goals were largely responsible for keeping West Ham in the Premiership last season. Their survival was ensured when his perseverance allowed him to score the only goal in the defeat of United at Old Trafford on a dramatic final day of the season in May.

It is likely that Tévez will move to United initially on a 12-month loan deal, with a fee of about £4 million payable to Kia Joorabchian, the businessman who owns the economic rights to the player, and wages in excess of £3 million. Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, would also want the option of making the move permanent at the end of next season.

On the day that Liverpool broke their transfer record by completing the £20.2 million signing of Fernando Torres, the Spain striker, from Atlético Madrid, the capture of Tévez, 23, would be a resounding signal of intent from United that they intend resolutely to defend their title and make a concerted attempt to win the Champions League.

United have already committed more than £50 million this summer on an England midfield player and two of the best young attacking talents in Europe. Owen Hargreaves arrived for £17 million from Bayern Munich and was joined by Nani, the 20-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger, and Anderson, the 19-year-old FC Porto playmaker, with the two deals understood to be worth projected figures of £17.3 million and £20.4 million respectively. Even Chelsea have had no answer to the speed and extravagance with which United have gone about their business this summer.

With Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo already in their ranks, the addition of Tévez would give Ferguson a formidable array of firepower.

Despite the problems that West Ham encountered after signing Tévez – they were fined £5.5 million in April for breaching third-party agreements – it would be possible to structure a contract that was acceptable to the Premier League. Javier Mascherano, the Argentina midfield player, moved from West Ham to Liverpool in January under similar circumstances.

Should United sign Tévez on a permanent deal, they are likely to have to pay in the region of £35 million. Inter had offered about £30 million before they pulled out of negotiations.

Ferguson has been looking for a reliable goalscorer and had considered Samuel Eto’o, of Barcelona, Dimitar Berbatov, the Bulgarian who made such an impression last season with Tottenham Hotspur, and Nicolas Anelka, of Bolton Wanderers. The arrival of Tévez could hasten the sale of Alan Smith, who has been made surplus to requirements.

West Ham have meanwhile confirmed the signing of Richard Wright, the former Everton goalkeeper, on a free transfer. The 29-year-old has been signed to provide competition for Robert Green.