From Carlo to Carlos... COME AND JOIN THE BLUES

LONDON: Carlo Ancelotti has made a dramatic attempt to win the race to sign Carlos Tevez by telephoning him personally. The new Chelsea manager called Tevez after obtaining his number from the striker's Argentina colleague Hernan Crespo and stressed he sees him as an integral part of his plans.

Crespo who worked with Ancelotti when loaned by Chelsea to Milan 4 years ago, helped the italian make contact with Tevez and it is believed they spoke on sunday. Ancelotti is spreading his net as far as possible in the hope of securing players to strengthen the squad he inherits at the start of next month and sees Tevez, who has been frustrated by a lack of games at Manchester United, as a key element in the changes.

Kaka, David Villa and Frank Ribery topped Chelsea's list of transfer targets but Kaka has gone to Real Madrid and the other 2 are likely to follow, even if Chelsea remain determined to lure Ribery from Bayern Munich. Sergio Aguero is another player under consideration, with talks having taken place with representatives for the Atletico Madrid striker.

Manchester City remain the most likely destination for Tevez, who is available for 25million euro (RM132 Million) when his loan deal at old trafford finishes at the end of this month. Ancelotti is known to be an admirer of the hardworking striker and if he can convince him to move to Stamford Bridge, he will ask Roman Abramovich to meet the asking price set by Kia Joorabchian and his investors.