Liverpool and Manchester United are set to step up their pursuit of West Ham striker Carlos Tevez after he rejected an offer from Inter Milan last night.

The Telegraph says Liverpool and Manchester United were last night put on alert when Tevez turned down a move to Inter Milan and expressed his desire to remain a Premiership player.

Tevez's representative, Kia Joorabchian, said last night: "Inter put a deadline on the decision and Carlos' heart is really in the Premier League."

That could tempt United and also Liverpool, who last season signed compatriot Javier Mascherano.