Source: Team_Talk
City confirm big bid for Tevez
Manchester City have confirmed they have received a bid from Corinthians for Carlos Tevez, with Kia Joorabchian in talks with the Brazilians.[LNB] Tevez's representative Joorabchian has been in talks with the Brazilian club after they lodged an offer of around £35million.[LNB]City have not yet responded to Corinthians, as they consider whether to sell their talismanic, yet unhappy, captain.[LNB]The transfer deadline for permanent deals in Brazil is July 20, so Corinthians are pushing for a quick response.[LNB]Tevez, dropped for Argentina's 3-0 Copa America win over Costa Rica on Monday, declared earlier this month that he wished to leave City for the sake of his family.[LNB]With none of Europe's leading clubs apparently interested in spending £50million to sign the City captain, it was starting to look like Tevez might spend next season at the renamed Etihad Stadium after all.[LNB]However, news has now arrived of Corinthians' interest with Tevez telling Telefe: "If there is interest, I don't have any problem in returning to Corinthians."[LNB]Joorabcian feels that the transfer is 'close' to being completed.[LNB]"Negotiations have already begun. Corinthians are in contact with us," said Joorabchian.[LNB]"His [Tevez's] 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. [LNB]"Corinthians have made the offer, now it depends only on Manchester City. The City has to make a decision. [LNB]"Everybody is working to make this happen, I, Corinthians, Tevez, Adrian Ruocco (the other agent who work on Tevez). [LNB]"It is impossible to determine the situation, but I think it's close."[LNB]Joorabchian insists that Tevez would only consider playing for two clubs in South America.[LNB]"Carlos will not play for any other Brazilian club than Corinthians, that is an absolute certainty," he told ESPN Brasil.[LNB]"Boca Juniors and Corinthians are in his heart. He would only play for the these two clubs if he when back to Brazil and Argentina."[LNB]The Brazilian transfer window closes on July 20, which means any deal need to be done soon - but Joorabchian insists that Tevez does have other options in Europe.[LNB]"The priority is Corinthians, but we have other options," he said.[LNB]"Carlos was the best player in the Premier League [last season], he was the scorer of the team for two consecutive years, he won the FA Cup. [LNB]"So he has much appeal in the European market. He is no longer a boy, today he is a great player."[LNB]Joorabchian insists that playing in Brazil would not be a step down for Tevez, adding: "Football in Brazil has changed, grown. His dream was always to return to the Corinthians, and this time there is a possibility."[LNB]Tevez used to play for the Brazilian outfit before heading to West Ham five years ago - the start of a turbulent spell in England that has also involved two seasons at both Manchester clubs.[LNB]It is thought the massive transfer fee, almost treble the club record £13.7million that got him to the club in 2005, would be funded through sponsorship and money from a new TV rights deal in Brazil.[LNB]If the full transfer fee materialises, it would surely prove attractive to City owner Sheikh Mansour.[LNB]City are currently in the United States for a three-match tour that forms part of their build-up to a new season. Some senior players have already expressed their dissatisfaction with Tevez's status as captain, requesting Vincent Kompany is handed the job instead.[LNB]Yet Tevez remains a key figure in the City line-up. His 20 Premier League goals last term secured him a share of the Golden Boot prize and, without the forward, manager Roberto Mancini would have to act fast to bring in reinforcements.[LNB]Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero has been mentioned as one such alternative, although he would probably cost just as much as City would receive for Tevez.
