Carlos Tévez has been offered the chance of an emotional return to Corinthians after the Sao Paulo club tabled a €40 million (£35.2 million) offer for the Manchester City striker.
According to sources in Brazil, Corinthians faxed their bid to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium offices on Monday and are now awaiting a response from the Premier League club. They are, however, hopeful that the player will press for a move, given it represents a chance to return to South America where he will be closer to his family.
City, who had placed a €50 million valuation on the striker, must now decide how to respond to Corinthians’ offer, the first concrete bid for the player this summer.
The Argentine striker’s contract, under which he earns about £200,000 a week, runs until 2014, although his future has been the subject of almost constant conjecture over the past 12 months.
He handed in a transfer request last year, which was rejected by City, and reiterated his desire to leave last week, despite winning the FA Cup and leading City to third place in the Premier League and Champions League qualification.
At the root of his unhappiness is the fact that his estranged partner, Vanesa, could not settle in Manchester. Instead, she chose to return to Argentina with their daughters, Katie and Florencia.
“I need to be closer to them and to spend more time with them,” Tévez said in a statement. “Living without my children in Manchester has been incredibly challenging for me. Everything I do, I do for my daughters.
“I need them to be happy because my life is about them now. I need to be in a place where they can adapt.”
That would appear to point towards a return to South America, although the situation could be complicated by interest from other clubs. Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid are all believed to be keen on signing the former Manchester United forward but, while Tévez would be tempted by the prospect of regular Champions League football, all three clubs have, until now, balked at the fee being demanded by City.
None are likely to match the €40 million being offered by Corinthians, one of the wealthiest clubs in South America. The Sao Paulo-based outfit have a history of attracting marquee names, including former Brazil internationals Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.
Since both those players retired, the club have been desperate to attract another star name, especially as they are due to move into a new stadium with a capacity of 68,000 in time for the 2013-14 season.
Tévez would be the kind of stellar name which would appeal to the club’s owners and there would also be a benefit for City in selling him to a South American side rather than a European rival they could meet in the Champions League.
The 27 year-old spent almost two years with Corinthians after joining in a £13.7 million deal in January 2005, a transfer that represented a Brazilian record. He captained the squad to the 2005 Campeonato Brasileiro before leaving for West Ham in the summer of 2006. However, he is still a hugely popular figure among Corinthians supporters.
Roberto Mancini, the City manager, has had a tempestuous relationship with Tévez, falling out with him on several occasions, but has still been reluctant to sanction his departure.
The Italian recognises that Tévez is a key asset, and it is likely he would want a replacement lined up before his captain departs.
The most likely candidate is Sergio Aguero, the Atlético Madrid striker, and it is understood that City are close to tabling a formal bid worth about €45 million (£39.7 million) for the striker, who has also been linked with Chelsea and Juventus.
Joorabchian: Tevez deal is close
The agent of wantaway forward Carlos Tevez, Kia Joorabchian, has confirmed that discussions are underway for the transfer of the Argentine to Corinthians.
News broke on Monday night that the Brazilian club had tabled a bid of €40 million for the striker, who has expressed his desire to leave Manchester City and return to South America to be closer to his family.
Corinthians have until July 20 to complete the transfer, which is when the international transfer window for Brazilian clubs closes.
"Negotiations have already begun. Corinthians are in contact with us," said Joorabchian. "His [Tevez] dream and mine is to see him back with Corinthians. He said he has a job that does not end there, he wants to return because he has the dream of winning the Copa Libertadores.
"Corinthians have made the offer, now it depends only on Manchester City. The City has to make a decision.
"Everybody is working to make this happen, I, Corinthians, Tevez, Adrian Ruocco [the other agent who works for Tevez]. It is impossible to determine the situation, but I think it is close."
Joorabchian also claimed that Tevez would only ever sign for two clubs in South America.
"Carlos will not play for any other Brazilian club than Corinthians, that is an absolute certainty," he told ESPN Brasil. "Boca Juniors and Corinthians are in his heart. He would only play for these two clubs if he when back to Brazil and Argentina.
"Football in Brazil has changed, grown. His dream was always to return to the Corinthians, and this time there is a possibility."
Corinthians' director of football Duilio Monteiro Alves added that he was hopeful of completing a deal before the Brazilian transfer window closes: "I don't want to get our fans' hopes up. We'll try ... that's all I can say. [Signing Tevez] isn't impossible. It's a dream we're trying to realise."
MCF.NET THREAD: http://www.mancityfans.net/mcfnet/viewt ... 19&t=39302
I'm on strike! Absentee Adebayor faces fine after failing to show for City training
Sulky striker Emmanuel Adebayor is heading for a fine of about £300,000 after apparently carrying out his threat to boycott training with Manchester City’s fringe players.
The £25million 2009 signing from Arsenal launched a scathing attack on club officials over his omission from City’s tour to America and insisted he would train by himself, rather than with junior and reserve players at their Carrington base.
He duly failed to turn up, and City were trying to ensure there were no unforeseen circumstances to consider before hitting him in the pocket. They are understood to be investigating whether he is in breach of his contract, but — with another three years to run and a fee required from any club interested in signing him — it seems inconceivable they will seek to cancel it.
They will impose a fine, though, and the 27-year-old is bracing himself for losing the maximum of two weeks’ wages after seemingly ignoring an order to join other out-of-favour senior names at City’s Cheshire training headquarters.
Shay Given, Wayne Bridge, Craig Bellamy and Nedum Onuoha all checked in as instructed and were put through their paces as they awaited developments on the transfer front.
However, there was no sign of Adebayor, who was already at loggerheads with Etihad Stadium chiefs after lambasting them over the way he was left out of City’s transatlantic trip.
The former Arsenal forward angrily claimed they were not ‘man enough’ to tell him to his face, after reportedly receiving notification by email from football director Brian Marwood’s secretary.
He claimed he was ‘hurt and insulted’ by his treatment, but there will be little sympathy from City bosses, who intend to crack down on his unauthorised absence. It is being seen as open defiance by the former Togo player, who earns more than £140,000 a week, and manager Roberto Mancini will welcome a tough stance from the board as he attempts to eliminate bouts of indiscipline from his star-studded squad.
Mancini has already come under fire from another of his strikers — 31-year-old Bellamy, who is not even on speaking terms with the manager and is desperately trying to find a club willing to meet his sky-high wages after being loaned out to Cardiff last season.
Adebayor began to sense he was surplus to requirements when Mancini shipped him out to Real Madrid on loan in January, and the unwanted forward made it clear he would jump at the chance of turning it into a permanent deal.
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is currently pursuing other targets, though, and with Mancini lining up Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero as the prime candidate to replace transfer-seeking Carlos Tevez, Adebayor’s future looks increasingly uncertain.
Arsenal, Manchester City and Celtic ponder a move for Sunderland exile Craig Gordon
Steve Bruce says Craig Gordon’s days at Sunderland look numbered after he failed to secure a new deal.
The Scotland goalkeeper, who is out until August with a knee injury, will start the season behind new signing Keiren Westwood and has a year left on his contract.
Arsenal and Manchester City have been linked with the former Hearts keeper and Celtic are interested in taking him on loan.
NIGEL DE JONG: CITY HATE MOB
NIGEL DE JONG claims Manchester City have taken over from Chelsea as the Premier League’s most hated team.
Nigel De Jong believes the only way to silence the critics is to win the title.
Manchester City’s huge spending power since Abu Dhabi billionaire Sheik Mansour bought the club three years ago has provoked the same sort of reaction from opposition fans that Chelsea suffered after they were bought by Roman Abramovich eight years ago.
The Sheikh’s £1bn investment over the last three years paid off last season with City clinching Champions League qualification for the first time and ending the club’s 35-year wait for silverware by winning the FA Cup.
And they announced a stunning £400m shirt sponsorship and stadium-naming deal with Etihad Airways on Friday.
But De Jong says their success and cash has cranked up hostility around the country. “We have taken over the role Chelsea experienced,” he said.
“During away matches you feel the hate for us in the stadiums and nobody wants us to be successful.
“That stopped at Chelsea when they won the championship and that will probably be the same for us. After we won the FA Cup I sensed there was a change in attitude.”
Manager Roberto Mancini’s revolving door transfer policy and the cash at his disposal means it will be another summer of change at City with five players likely to arrive and up to 10 leaving.
Mancini has already bought Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic and is also chasing Arsenal’s Samir Nasri and Argentine pair Sergio Aguero and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
On the way out are Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy, Wayne Bridge, Roque Santa Cruz, Shay Given, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Nedum Onuoha, Jo and Michael Johnson.
But De Jong warned that despite the turnover, City must maintain the squad harmony that helped them achieve their targets last season.
He added: “We have to mould a collective – a team has to be like your second family.”
Bit late but Man City announces roster for N.A. tour
"Manchester City ... have brought an amazing collection of top internationals," Bob Lenarduzzi, the Whitecaps' president, said in a release. "
The Whitecaps will play the FA Cup winners next Monday at Empire Field.
Joining Barry will be fellow English national team members Joe Hart, James Milner and Shaun Wright-Phillips. Other players include Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko; Italian striker Mario Balotelli; Spanish midfielder David Silva; Dutch midfielder Nigel De Jong; and German defender Jerome Boateng.
Manchester City arrived in Los Angeles over the weekend where they will have a week-long training camp. They will play Mexican side Club America in San Francisco on Saturday, before arriving in Vancouver on Sunday.
Manchester City will face the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy on July 23.
Among the players not included on the roster are Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bridge.
Petrov: 'Shay is one of the best'
Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov believes Manchester City keeper Shay Given would be the ideal replacement for Brad Friedel.
Given's £3.5 million move from City is expected to go through later this week subject to a successful medical.
It will be new Villa manager Alex McLeish's first signing since replacing Gerard Houllier last month.
Petrov was sorry to see Friedel leave Villa - for Tottenham - after a three-year spell but is confident 35-year-old Given will fill the void.
The Bulgaria international said: 'Shay is one of the best keepers in the league and, if he comes to us, it will be a great signing for us.
'He's got European experience and Premier League experience so what else do you need?
'Brad Friedel was a big loss. He played a major part at this club and I was sad to see him go.
'He was outstanding for us, for his age, and he showed everybody it doesn't matter how old you are.
'He's signed another two year contract (at Tottenham) at the age of 40. But Shay would be a great signing and I hope that could happen.'
OTHER BOLLOX
Fergie: Nasri is leaving Arsenal - but not for United.. he's going somewhere else
Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that Samir Nasri has agreed to leave Arsenal - but not to join Manchester United.
The United manager made his comments shortly after arriving in Boston on the first leg of his club's five-match United States tour.
With Paul Scholes now retired, Ferguson is on the look-out for a replacement.
Wesley Sneijder and Luka Modric have been linked with an Old Trafford move, but so has Nasri, with United said to have had a £20million bid for the France midfielder turned down.
'I don't think he is coming to United,' said Ferguson, 'that is all I can tell you. I think that he has agreed to go somewhere else.'
Nasri has gone on tour with Arsenal to Malaysia and manager Arsene Wenger has indicated he may keep the player for the final year of his contract, and thus risk losing him for nothing in 12 months' time.
'That is his decision,' said Ferguson. 'He is the manager. If he stands by that decision, it is a brave one. I don't know if the (Arsenal) directors will enjoy that one, but it is possible. Maybe he will have to stay.'
However, if he is not going to get Nasri, Ferguson refuses to abandon the idea of bringing in anyone, even if a like-for-like replacement for Scholes is beyond his imagination.
'It is impossible to get another Paul Scholes,' he said.
'But if we get a player along similar lines in terms of the quality of his passing and vision, we would have to do something.
'The difficulty is, if you picked the best four midfield players in the world, Scholes would be there with Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Then you could take a pick from somewhere else.
'It is a loss. How do we overcome it? The next few weeks could help us in that respect. Someone could emerge out of the youth team and we carry on.'
If Nasri is to leave Arsenal and not end up at Old Trafford, Manchester City would be the obvious destination. And should Ferguson get anyone, Sneijder is now the most likely given Modric has already expressed a preference for Chelsea if he can engineer a move from Tottenham.
Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder is poised to seal a £35m switch to Manchester United this week. The Netherlands international's earnings will surpass striker Wayne Rooney's £220,000-a-week wages at Old Trafford. the Sun
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is under consideration for a shock return to Chelsea because Michael Essien may be sidelined for six months because of a knee injury. Daily Mirror
The Stamford Bridge outfit have made an improved offer for Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric, with a bid of £27m lodged with the White Hart Lane club. Daily Mail
Chelsea will target Real Madrid playmaker Kaka if Spurs continue to resist their approaches for Modric. Metro
Blackburn could make a move for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, possibly in a swap deal that would take defender Chris Samba to Spurs. Daily Mirror
Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega has emerged as a £10m target for Villarreal as the Spanish side look for a replacement for the Juventus-bound Giuseppe Rossi.the Sun
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is interested in forward Senijad Ibricic and midfielder Alan Gatagov, who both play for Lokomotiv Moscow. Talksport
Tottenham's hopes of signing Lassana Diarra were boosted after the midfielder was left out of Real Madrid's pre-season tour of the United States. Daily Mirror
Arsenal may attract 16-year-old Chivas Guadalajara striker Carlos Fierro to north London after his impressive performances at the Under-17 World Cup prompted Gunners manager Arsene Wenger to consider a £2m bid. the Sun
Valencia have told Arsenal and Tottenham that playmaker Juan Mata is not for sale. Talksport
Arsenal have confirmed Nicklas Bendtner is "talking to other clubs", with Aston Villa, Fulham, Bolton and Newcastle thought to be interested. Metro
Liverpool are set to up their bid for Aston Villa's Stewart Downing to £18.5m in an attempt to beat Arsenal to the England winger. The Reds had an initial £15m offer rejected. Daily Mirror
Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani could return to his home country on a second year-long loan deal from Liverpool after Fiorentina expressed an interest in the 26-year-old. the Sun
West Brom are ready to spend £8m - a new club record - on Reading striker Shane Long. the Sun
Defender Roger Johnson is set to leave relegated Birmingham and move to Wolves in a deal that could rise to £7m.Daily Mirror
Norwich manager Paul Lambert may reinforce his ranks with West Ham full-back Herita Illunga.the Sun
Rangers may offer former striker Kenny Miller a third spell at Ibrox because the 31-year-old is unsettled at Bursaspor after moving to Turkey in January. Daily Record
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has warned manager Arsene Wenger that the Gunners need to splash out or risk being left behind by their top-four Premier League rivals. Daily Mail
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is set to name John O'Shea as the club's new captain, upsetting current skipper Lee Cattermole.Daily Mail
Wales have sunk below the Faroe Islands in the world rankings after a Faroese student pointed out a mistake in Fifa's calculations. Daily Telegraph
BOLLOX BOLLOX
Neville: Man City not United's main title rival
Gary Neville insists Manchester United will not see Manchester City as their main title rival next season.
Big-spending City are being tipped to be serious contenders for the Premier League crown after their third-place finish and FA Cup win last season.
But Neville believes Chelsea, not Roberto Mancini’s side, will pose the biggest threat to Sir Alex Ferguson’s hopes of securing a 20th league title.
“You can’t say that they are the number one rival at this moment because Chelsea still finished second last year and Chelsea were the double winners the year before,” Neville told talkSHIT.
But the former United full-back, now an ambassador for the club, does expect City to be among the contenders, adding: “The likes of City, Liverpool, Arsenal are all going to be there again this year and knocking on the door. They are investing more in players. They want to win the Championship, they want to win the Champions League.
“United have been used to having people knock at them the last twenty years and trying to knock them off the top so I wouldn’t say that City are the number one rival but they are certainly a big rival this year and with the type of players they are trying to sign I’m sure they will add to it.”
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini secures new name for £17million
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is to be renamed Roberto Toyota Yaris VVT-i after securing a five season £17million deal with the Japanese motors giant.
The cash used from the extraordinary sponsorship package will help the Blues boss with new signings as well as boost his own wages.
“Myself and Toyota are a natural fit,” said the newly-named boss. “Like the new Toyota Yaris VVT-i, I consider myself a reliable and economic operator who is easy on the eye but also quick off the mark. I’m also ideal for the city.”
The £120million deal which saw Manchester City change the name of their Eastlands ground to the Etihad Stadium, sparked the new sports sponsorship development. Other managers and high profile footballers are expected to follow suit as businesses look to align their products with the personalities of stars.
Marketing bosses at chocolate maker Cadbury have already secured the services of another Manchester City star for £12million to promote their products.
“I’m delighted to use my image to promote the excellent sweet products of this highly-esteemed confectionery company,” said Manchester City’s outspoken Italian striker Mario Fruit and Nut.
