Joorabchian, the man who brokered the original deal to take Tevez and Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano to Upton Park in August 2006, insists he is taking legal action against the Barclays Premier League club as a last resort.

He is reported to be demanding £7.1million, which he claims he is owed by West Ham.

Joorabchian said on Sky Sports News: "I've always said that this has not been a very open-book case and I think a lot speculation which has gone around has damaged us personally throughout the process, which I've not been happy about.

"I don't understand why we were not 100% open about it right from the beginning.

"I think it will give us a chance to be 100% open although it's not a nice thing to go to court and have to sue a club which we obviously have some attachment to through Carlos.

"But we were left with no other choice."

West Ham were found to have broken Premier League rules on third-party ownership in their acquisitions of Tevez and Mascherano.

They were fined £5.5million but controversially escaped a points deduction that would have seen them relegated instead of Sheffield United.

Joorabchian initially held the economic rights to both players and effectively loaned them to the Hammers before the Premier League stepped in to rule the arrangement was contrary to league regulations.

He is suing the Hammers for alleged unpaid fees and costs. The London club say they will vigorously contest the case.

Joorabchian today completed the sale of Javier Mascherano to Liverpool for £18million - and he is already on the lookout for the next South American star he can bring to Europe.

Far from being put off by the controversy surrounding his dealings with West Ham over Tevez, Joorabchian is ready to step up his business.

He recently brokered Afonso Alves' record transfer to Middlesbrough and is set to start talks with Manchester United over Tevez's future in the next 18 months.

But Joorabchian is now focused on phase two of the project and the task of uncovering the next gem in South American football is under way.

"I want Javi and Carlos to be the first of many players coming from south America," said Joorabchian.

"I have a whole web of scouts working in South America looking for the new Mascherano and the new Tevez. There is a lot of talent down there.

"People criticised third-party ownership when I first brought Mascherano and Tevez to West Ham but I feel vindicated now.

"They are playing at two of the biggest clubs in the world. There will be more to follow."

South American football regulations allow private companies to own or part-own the economic rights of players, which is how Joorabchian was able to purchase Tevez and Mascherano originally.

A West Ham spokesman said: "We are aware of the various allegations and claims that are being made. We will vigorously defend those claims and look forward settling the matter in court."

It is not the first court case between the parties. Last summer Joorabchian's firm MSI launched a legal claim for £35million against West Ham - only to end up paying the club £2million in order for them to allow Tevez to move to Manchester United.

West Ham have filed their defence to the High Court but by the close of business today Joorabchian had still not filed his claim into the court.

It is understood the club will not contemplate any out-of-court settlement.