Carlos Tevez saga to cost West Ham £15million

West Ham will today agree to pay Sheffield United up to £15million in compensation to end the saga over Carlos Tevez's role in the relegation battle of 2006-2007.

The club, who already have severe financial pressures, hammered out a deal in exchange for Sheffield withdrawing all complaints against them.

The Blades were claiming £45m compensation for being relegated, arguing that Tevez, who kept West Ham up with some outstanding performances in key matches, had no right to be playing because his deal at the club was in breach of Premier League third-party rules.

The exact fee to be announced today has been negotiated between West Ham's chief executive Scott Duxbury and Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe.

It is said to be between £10m-£15m but McCabe will push for the higher figure as it is still £30m short of their original compensation claim. A court case, ending in victory for Sheffield United, would have meant the Hammers having to sell their best players so today's deal is considered a successful conclusion.

Crucially for West Ham, the money will be paid in instalments over five years which will ease the financial burden at Upton Park, where Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke are enjoying success on the field despite worries about the future of club with the parent company facing acute money difficulties in Iceland.

West Ham originally rejected Sheffield United's claims over Tevez, saying one player could not influence who stayed up or went down, but an independent Football Association arbitration panel, chaired by Lord Griffiths found in the Blades' favour. He decided that Tevez, who socred the winner against Manchester United in the last game of the season, has influenced the fate of the Sheffield club.

Lord Griffiths' panel were due to meet on Monday to hear arguments over the size of compensation but that hearing has now been cancelled.

The Football League are, however, still investigating some of the findings from the Griffiths judgement relating to the Tevez deal. West Ham were fined £5m by an independent League inquiry for breaching rules governing third-party ownership in April 2007.

Meanwhile, Zola today admitted the prolonged absence of injured midfielder Valon Behrami is a big blow. "We will miss him very much," said the boss, whose team are at home to West Brom next Monday.

"Valon has been exceptional and probably one of the best player of the season for us."