Tevez rejects United offer

20 June 2009 11:18
Manchester United have confirmed striker Carlos Tevez will not be playing for the club next season following the conclusion of his two-year loan. The Argentina international was a fans' favourite during his time at Old Trafford, however, he has rejected the chance to sign a long-term deal with The Red Devils. United had agreed to pay the £25.5million fee required to secure the 25-year-old's services permanently and offered the striker a lucrative five-year contract. However, despite the prospect of becoming one of the club's highest paid players it has now been revealed that he no longer wished to play for the Premier League champions. Tevez found regular first-team football especially hard to come by last season following the expensive acquisition of Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham and that has been attributed as one of the reasons behind his decision. Sky Sports News understands that Manchester City and Chelsea are the only two clubs in the running to sign Tevez, meaning Liverpool will not be landing the striker. Contract rejected"Following contact received from Carlos Tevez's advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the club," read a statement on the club's official website. "The club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players. "Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the Club's most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United. "The club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future." Sky Bet make Carlos Tevez 1/10 on (from 1/6) to join Manchester City after champions United on Saturday confirmed the striker is to leave Old Trafford. Sky Bet's Dave Pilgrim said: "We've been seeing sustained support for Tezez for several weeks at odds-on prices to join Man City, and United's confirmation that he will indeed leave the club just lends further weight to this money. "We're 1/10 that he joins City now, with Chelsea probably the only other serious contender of the British clubs after he appeared to rule out Liverpool. Chelsea are a 11/2 shot."

Source: SKY_Sports