Roberto Mancini has revealed star striker and talismanic skipper Carlos Tevez has told him he wants to stay at Manchester City next season.
Tevez demonstrated his value to the club with a brilliant brace in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Stoke which lifted City to third in the Premier League table.
The Argentina striker is now level on 21 goals with Dimitar Berbatov in the race for the Golden Boot ahead of Sunday's final round of fixtures.
When quizzed over ongoing reports that Tevez could be set to move on in the summer, Mancini told Sky Sports: "I've always said he has a five-year contract.
"I talk with him many times. I don't think we have a problem with him.
"He is a fantastic striker and a fantastic player for us and I think that he will stay here next year.
"He told me like this, that he wanted to stay. He has a five-year contract."
Mancini was keen to shift the focus on to the achievements of his side this term, with qualification for the UEFA Champions League already assured and the FA Cup standing proudly in the Eastlands trophy cabinet.
City know that victory away to Bolton on Sunday will see them stay ahead of Arsenal in the table, leaving the Gunners facing a tricky play-off to qualify for the lucrative group stages of Europe's premier club competition.
The Italian said: "I think it is important we think about the next game, it is in our hands.
"It is fantastic because everything depends on us. We have got into the position. We have one difficult game and it is very important.
"We have had a fantastic season with fourth place. Now we have won the FA Cup and if we can recover our strength well in the next four days we will go to Bolton.
"We are improving a lot and in the last 40 days we have played really well. We can only improve next season.
"If we want to win and improve, I know only one way - work, work hard. We can improve if we work.
"It is a very special moment. We have won a trophy, we are in the top four, at the moment we are in third position and I think for the supporters it is very special."
Man City plan world-record bid for Ronaldo
Manchester City are ready to smash the world transfer record to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the Premier League.
Roberto Mancini's men joined European football's elite last week by qualifying for the Champions League for the first time.
Now City want the Portuguese superstar to spearhead their bid to win the trophy next season.
Ronaldo, 26, moved to Real Madrid from Manchester United in a record £80million move in 2009 and signed a six-year contract worth over £100m.
Under Jose Mourinho this season, he has equalled the goals record in a La Liga campaign - 38 - and still has a game to go.
The Spanish giants have inserted a US$1billion buyout clause in his contract to protect their prize asset.
Mancini said after City's FA Cup Final triumph on Saturday that he wanted players of proven Champions League experience to take the club to the next level.
Ronaldo would also prove a high-profile replacement for another ex-Manchester United star, Carlos Tevez, should the Argentine decide to leave .
Earlier this month, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said of City: "They're probably going to spend another £200million this summer.
"They tell me they've got one or two players signed already who'll blow your brains out. They're not going to stop until they win the championship, then the Champions League, and I can see them doing it."
Despite complaining about Mourinho's negative tactics during the Champions League semi-final defeat to Barcelona, Ronaldo has enjoyed a super season in Madrid.
He has scored five goals in his last two games to take his total in all competitions to 51 this season, including the winner in the Copa del Rey final, to overtake Ferenc Puskas' record.
Ronaldo can set a new La Liga record by scoring against relegated Almeria this weekend.
"He is a decisive and influential player," said Real captain Iker Casillas. "Very few are capable of putting up the numbers he has. There are no more team titles that we can win this year, but we can help him win an individual award.
"We feel it is important for him to win an award when he is so deserving of it. He is one of the best players in the world."
Gareth Bale 'to be given option of Man City transfer' as club ponder £40m bid
Spurs will consult Gareth Bale over a potential move to Champions League qualifiers Manchester City this summer - if the club, as is expected, receive a substantial bid for him in the region of £40million, according to reports.
According to an insider, it is manager Harry Redknapp's policy to speak openly and honestly with his players if and when a bid is being considered to see how they feel about a potential move.
Bale has previously stated his desire to carry on playing in the Champions League after he made waves across Europe for some dazzling displays in a Spurs side that reached the quarter-finals.
And after the north Londoners were pipped to fourth place by City, who are expected to be involved in substantial spending this summer, a bid of more than £30m is expected to come in for Bale - who is also said to be on the transfer wish-lists of Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United.
Last month, Bale hinted he might be tempted to leave Spurs if they failed to secure qualification for Europe's top competition next season, saying: 'I've grown massively because of the tournament.
'The Champions League is the best I'm going to play in for the time being.
'Everybody thrives off it and I want to play in it as much as I can now.'
Redknapp is regarded as one of the best man-managers in football for the close relationships he forms with his players.
However, his guiding principle of being honest with his squad could backfire if Bale decides he wants to pursue a career with Roberto Mancini's side instead of Spurs.
City are reportedly weighing up a bid for Bale, although no formal offers are expected until after the end of the season.
It has previously been suggested that it would take a cash offer of £40m to even be considered by Redknapp, who has insisted his prize winger is not for sale.
Manchester City fighting Inter Milan for £30million Sanchez
Manchester City are locked in a fierce battle with Inter Milan to clinch the signing of Udinese hot-shot Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean winger is one of the hottest properties in Europe and has also been attracting interest from Manchester United.
Sanchez has been earning rave reviews in Italy and Roberto Mancini is keen to bring him to Eastlands during the summer.
Reports in Italy suggest that Mancini has tried to contact Sanchez and is preparing to make a £30million bid to ensure he wins the race to sign him.
But Mancini faces stiff competition from Inter Milan who are also confident they can agree a deal with the talented winger and hope he will want to remain in Serie A.
Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko, and Theo Walcott all high on Juventus radar
Juventus have targeted Manchester City duo Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko, as well as Arsenal's Theo Walcott to spearhead their new look side.The Serie A giants have been disappointing this season - likely to finish seventh in the league - and are planning a summer overhaul to shoot them back into Champions League contention.
Reports in Italy this morning suggest the Old Lady have identified Tevez, Dzeko, and Sergio Aguero as their main targets to fill the striker’s position, with Walcott and Franck Ribery candidates for the wing.
Manchester City know they’re facing a battle to keep hold of their Argentinean talisman, but Roberto Mancini will certainly not welcome any bids for Dzeko, who only arrived in January for £27million.
The Bosnian hasn’t been an immediate hit at Eastlands, and was known to fancy a move to Turin before moving to City, but Mancini has previously expressed his faith in the big striker, and will be determined to fend off any interest.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be equally as disapproving of attempts to lure Walcott away from the Emirates, after the England international has finally started to show the promise that brought him to the club as a 17-year-old.
The former Southampton flier has bagged 12 goals and made 11 assists in his 36 appearances this season.
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool have made a formal approach to Lille for Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard. Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea are also circling. Daily Mirror
AC Milan are ready to use former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini as a makeweight in an offer for Brazilian anchorman Sandro. talkSPORT
Bolton defender Gary Cahill has told friends that he is optimistic about securing a move to Arsenal over the summer. Daily Mirror
Everton are believed to be the unnamed English club who have had an offer rejected for Sporting Lisbon forward Yannick Djalo. talkSPORT
Manager Sven Goran Eriksson wants to bring Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey back to the striker's hometown club Leicester. Daily Mail
Sunderland are to recruit Senegalese forward Demba Ba from relegated West Ham to help fill the gap left by loanee Danny Welbeck's return to Manchester United. talkSPORT
Defender Paul Konchesky could end his miserable spell at Liverpool with a return to Fulham as Carlos Salcido seeks a move back to his native Mexico from Craven Cottage. Daily Mail
Aston Villa are monitoring Everton manager David Moyes and Fulham's Mark Hughes as they prepare for the possibility that Gerard Houllier may not return to the dug-out after his latest heart problems. Daily Mirror
Blackburn manager Steve Kean has been summoned away from his training ground preparations to India for his monthly meeting with the club's owners despite Rovers facing a vital final-day clash with Wolves. Daily Mail
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville is optimistic that former England captain and Old Trafford favourite David Beckham will turn out for his testimonial against Juventus on 24 May. Daily Mail
