Carlos Tevez is deliberating over a summer transfer which would give more weight to the growing argument that Mark Hughes is determined to transform Manchester City into a serious Premier League force.
Having already shelled out a straight £12m of the super-rich Abu Dhabi United Group's vast fortunes to bring in England midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa this summer, the ambitious Welshman has no desire to rest on his laurels and is convinced he can tempt unsettled Argentina striker Tevez across the city from his former club.
Argentina play a World Cup qualifier in Ecuador on Wednesday and it understood Tevez will then instruct his advisor, Kia Joorabchian, which half of Manchester he intends to play for.
Buoyed by United chief executive David Gill's admission that the £25.5m asking price was a "a bit toppy", Eastlands officials are preparing a package that will ensure Tevez gets his wish to remain in England.
Gill said before the Champions League final defeat by Barcelona that United were working towards reaching a compromise before Tevez's two-year loan arrangement expires on June 30, so the Premier League title-winners do still have time on their side.
Tevez has built up a strong support with the Old Trafford faithful, highlighted when a decision by Sir Alex Ferguson to substitute him against Arsenal was greet by a chorus of boos, and will be mindful of the repercussions of making such a controversial move.
However, having grown tired of taking a back-seat in the big fixtures, Tevez will know the carrot of regular first-team football could prove difficult to resist and the proximity of the move is hardly a logistical nightmare.
City hope to partner Tevez with want-away Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz, who Hughes first brought to England when he manager at Ewood Park.
Nick Walsh writes features and betting previews for Betfair.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Beyond what he would bring on the pitch -- and that's not insufficient -- signing a United fan favourite would send a tremendous symbolic message to the football world -- City is serious.
Now, I've long said that for City to challenge for a top 4 spot it first has to move from a mid-table team to a Europa team - You have to catch Everton before you can gun down Liverpool. Barry and Tevez, along with earlier signings like Craig Bellamy and Shay Given, go a long way towards doing just that.
It’s going to be an interesting season at Eastlands.
I agree with Duane. Tevez loss to Man. United would be gutting to me personally and the fans. However I think the bigger issue for City is making a point.
Taking a United fan favourite in his prime across the City could be the start of something very big for the Blue Half.
I agree that this is both a useful and symbolic signing for City if they are able to pull it off. With City also looking at Santa Cruz, I think that Bellamy will become one of the leagues highest paid subs.
Personally,(and obviously) I would love to see Pompey sneak in and have Crouch & Tevez as a strike duo. It is quite a long shot though.
Post a Comment