SOCCER:CARLOS TEVEZ'S hopes of returning to South America with Corinthians is on hold after Manchester City rejected the Brazilian club's €40 million offer for their influential captain.
The Argentina international, who has cited a desire to be closer to his two daughters as reason for wanting to leave the FA Cup winners, was the subject of a club-record bid from his former employers on Monday night.
City value last season’s leading scorer closer to €57 million and dismissed Corinthians’ opening offer within 24 hours, confirming Kia Joorabchian’s view that getting his client to Brazil “will not be simple”.
As was the case when Tevez pushed for a transfer before the January transfer window, City’s wealthy hierarchy feel under no pressure to sell a key figure in Roberto Mancini’s team who is under contract at the club until 2014.
However, City also recognise the destabilising effect of Tevez’s frequent claims of disillusionment and a compromise fee, plus encouragement in their own search for a replacement, is likely to see the 27-year-old’s wish granted this summer.
Tevez’s representative, Joorabchian, said prior to City’s rejection: “It is a big deal and a tough deal, because it is one of a very big nature and it might not be simple. We wait to see.
“If they do accept, then everyone will be running to make it happen. If they don’t we will have to see what other options would be available for him.”
Corinthians’ ability to fund a deal for Tevez came as a surprise, with the striker the highest-paid player in the Premier League on a deal in excess of €285,000 a week. Real Madrid are another possible destination – the coach, Jose Mourinho, has said he wishes to sign another forward this summer.
However, Joorabchian added: “It is very difficult to start speculating – the reality is that Corinthians have made an offer.
“We have never spoken to Real Madrid and they have made no offer.”
Tevez remains hopeful that a compromise agreement can be struck between City and Corinthians before the Brazilian transfer window closes on July 20th.
The City captain said: “An offer arrived (from Corinthians) and I would have no problem returning. They got in contact with me, sent an offer to the club and in eight to 10 days the transfer market in Brazil closes.”
City have retained an admirable air of calm since the latest Tevez furore began. The club are insistent there is more to the player’s complicated position than merely wanting to be closer to his two daughters and wife Vanesa.
Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger has accused Manchester City of attempting to bend Uefa’s financial fair play rules via their new €455 million sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways and he said that the arrangement threatened not only the incoming legislation but the credibility of the European game’s governing body.
He believes that Michel Platini, the Uefa president, is duty-bound to investigate the City deal and he ramped up the pressure on his fellow Frenchman, calling it “Platini’s big test”.
“It raises the real question about the credibility of financial fair play,” Wenger said.
“That is what this is all about. They give us the message that they can get around it by doing what they want.
“It means financial fair play will not come in.
“It is as simple as that. I can understand how they do it but it raises the real question. The difficulty and the credibility of the financial fair play is at stake.
“Plus, if the financial fair play is to have a chance, the sponsorship has to be at the market price. It cannot be doubled, tripled or quadrupled because that means it is better that we don’t do it and we leave everybody free.
“That can be defended as well, but if they bring the rules in they have to be respected.”
Last night City hit back, describing Wenger’s comments as “unfounded and regrettable”.
In a statement, the club said: “The financial details of the comprehensive agreement announced last week between Manchester City and Etihad Airways remain confidential and figures being speculated about are not accurate.”
Guardian Service
