Source: Daily_Mail
Fergie won't let Tevez go without a fight as United striker turns down Real Madrid to stay in Englan
Sir Alex Ferguson today said Manchester United were fighting to keep Carlos Tevez - despite Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea lining up to prise the striker from Old Trafford.
Sportsmail today revealed the Argentina international had ruled out a £40million move to Real Madrid because of his desire to stay in England, boosting United's hopes of doing a deal for the 25-year-old.
Ferguson declared he wanted the former West Ham player to stay on after he scored in Wednesday's defeat of Wigan, and today tried to calm a war of words with Tevez's camp.
'There was a meeting with (chief executive) David Gill on Wednesday, that is a clear fact,' said Ferguson in response to denials that United had tried to persuade Tevez to stay.
'They discussed the avenue under which Carlos could stay with Manchester United. End of story. I do not wish to discuss the matter any further.'
Manchester United are stalling on coughing up the fee being demanded to sign Carlos Tevez by the player's advisers. How much do you think the Argentina striker is worth? Or do you feel that Sir Alex Ferguson should break the bank to bring him to Old Trafford when his current deal expires at the end of the season?
Tevez's owner, Kia Joorabchian, is standing firm on an agreement two years ago that United would pay £25m to sign the player permanently, on top of the £9m they have already paid for the loan deal.
Sensational claims in another newspaper suggest Tevez could walk away from his contract with Joorabchian and effectively sign for United on a free transfer, but Ferguson dismissed the story as 'far-fetched'.
Even if that route was legally sound, it is extremely unlikely thatTevez would even entertain the idea given his close bond withJoorabchian.
Ferguson said: 'We could all break our contracts. I am not discussing anything like that. It is a bit far-fetched really.'
Money is not the only stumbling block. Although Tevez has previously told Sportsmail he would be happy to spend the lion's share of his career at Old Trafford, he is concerned he has featured more from the bench this season.
With one eye on next year's World Cup, he is keen to be assured of his place in the team.
