Amazing twist: Ferguson was made aware of
Tevez approach
Manchester United have been approached with a
sensational offer to buy Carlos Tevez back from their neighbours
City.
Contact was made this week by a party closely connected
with striker Tevez, who quit Old Trafford in May 2009, with a view
to finding out whether United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would be
interested in re-signing him.
Ferguson was made aware of the approach, which
was neither at City's behest nor with their knowledge, but sources
close to Old Trafford indicate there is absolutely no chance of the
player returning, even if City did decide to sell.
With Tevez ready to return to play against Everton in a
game which could take City to the top of the table, the club show
no signs of buckling under the pressure of the player's
publicly-stated desire to leave. And they continue to point the
finger of blame for the turmoil at the player's advisor Kia
Joorabchian.
Victory over Everton on Monday would mean Mancini's men
would be top on Christmas Day for the first time in 81
years.
Strained relationship: Roberto Mancini held talks with
unsettled star Tevez
City announced last week that they had rejected a written
transfer request and are adamant that the player will be staying
until at least the end of the season.
The suitability of Tevez continuing as captain is under
consideration by City manager Roberto Mancini, with defender
Vincent Kompany poised to take over if he takes a hard line over
the saga.
Suggestions that Tevez wants to return permanently to
South America because he is homesick and missing his daughters
Florencia and Katie - and that he has considered quitting the game
- are viewed with suspicion by the City hierarchy two of whom he
claims that his relationship with has broken down irretrievably,
chief executive Garry Cook and administrator Brian
Marwood.
It is, however, believed that Tevez, 26, has told those
close to him that he plans to retire from the sport at the age of
30 anyway.
Given permission by the club last weekend to have a short
overseas holiday, Tevez chose to go to Tenerife rather than Buenos
Aires, where his daughters live.
And last week he was seen in the arms of his new
girlfriend, the 18-year-old actress Brenda Asnicar, in
London.
City contend that Tevez himself has no problems with the
club or the people who run it and that the current situation is an
extravagant attempt to improve his current contract which,
according to informed sources, already stipulates that no other
player can be paid more than he is.
It puts him alongside Yaya Toure on £200,000 a week, also
meaning that, if he did leave, only a few clubs could afford to
have him on their books.
A City insider said: 'Carlos has been back training with
his usual enthusiasm. He will not only return to the side against
Everton on Monday, but he is determined to play a part in the
team's push for as high a Premier League finish as they can
achieve.
'The club have demonstrated where they stand. Carlos is
going nowhere. Now all we want is to concentrate on winning as many
matches as we can between now and the end of the
season.'
