Source: Telegraph
Manchester City wait in wings as Carlos Tevez plans future
Tevez's advisers have indicated that at least one high ranking official from another club has been in touch with them as the player's team starts exploring routes out of Old Trafford should his current club fail to use their first option to buy him.[LNB]Tevez is currently on a loan deal with United that expires in the summer, though a deal to sign him from his owners – an investment fund headed by Kia Joorabchian – has been agreed in principle at a fee of £32 million and wages of £80,000-a-week for Tevez.[LNB]United, however, have chosen to hold off on negotiations for the time being in the knowledge that even at the end of the current arrangement it is they who have first refusal and that the player is keen to stay.[LNB]Tevez has been quiet on the subject in recent weeks after an interview with a radio station in Argentina in which he voiced his genuine frustrations at the lack of progress on a deal.[LNB]'I don't know what my future is,' he said on Jan 5. 'United know what the have to pay if they want me to stay.[LNB]'It annoys me that they're beginning to play games with people who cheer me with such affection in every match.[LNB]'I want [the supporters] to know I haven't received any offer [from United]. If I have to leave the club, then I want to do it in a good way.'[LNB]Since that time United have not moved the discussion on but other clubs have been watching intently.[LNB]Real Madrid are known admirers of the player and Inter Milan have also been linked with a move.[LNB]According to reports in today's Independent newspaper, a number of Premier League clubs are being briefed on his situation and the club who have had informal conversations with Tevez's advisers are under the impression they are not the only ones to have been alerted.[LNB]Tevez himself, four days after the original radio interview, said as much. 'I know of the interest from Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in the world, but so is Manchester United,' he said.[LNB]'Madrid are not the only club to approach us.'[LNB]Throughout the uncertainty Tevez has always insisted that his desire is to stay at Old Trafford and recent first team opportunities due to Wayne Rooney's hamstring injuries has seen him play an important role in United's move to the summit of the Premier League.[LNB]He has also been instrumental in guiding the club to the fifth round of the FA Cup and the Carling Cup final.[LNB]City, however, remain confident that they would be able to secure the services of the forward should United fail to offer a concrete deal.[LNB]The problems of a player crossing the city has been considered at Eastlands but are believed to be surmountable. After they failed to sign Kaka earlier this month City's 'project' still requires a marquee player, of which Tevez fits the bill.[LNB]His name, along with that of Kaka and Lionel Messi, was believed to be on the original list of targets drawn up by the club soon after the takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group.[LNB]Priorities might change, however, should Blackburn accept an improved offer for Roque Santa Cruz.[LNB]Meanwhile, City are believed to have made a final bid to lure Kolo Toure from Arsenal with an improved bid of around £8 million for the centre back.[LNB]
