Carlos Tévez will move a step closer to joining Manchester United when he has a medical examination later this week, but a bureaucratical and diplomatic minefield has still to be overcome before the West Ham United forward can complete the complicated transfer.

At a press conference yesterday in Tokyo, where United kick off their preseason tour at 8pm local time this evening with a game against Urawa Red Diamonds, David Gill, the chief executive, confirmed that Tévez is due in Manchester this week – possibly Thursday – for a medical “Clearly, it’s complicated – overly complicated in my humble opinion,” Gill said. “We are working, effectively, with four other parties in order to sort it out: the player, West Ham, the companies who own his economic rights [Media Sports Investment] and the Premier League.”

Gill added that he was “very confident” that the various issues can be resolved over the next week. Tévez has already indicated that his heart is set on the deal, likely to bring him to Old Trafford, initially, on loan for two years. But Gabriel Heinze, his Argentina teammate, having spoken to him about the joys of playing for United, is unlikely to stay around long enough to help him to integrate.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, confirmed yesterday that Heinze, the 29-year-old defender, wants a move, with Real Madrid and at least one other Spanish club known to be interested. United remain reluctant to sell him to Liverpool, who are the only club to have indicated a willingness to meet the player’s £6 million valuation.