INTERNAZIONALE HAVE moved closer to ending the Carlos Tevez transfer saga but will have to improve their opening offer of €25 million to persuade Manchester City to sell the Argentina striker this month.
The Italian club lodged an official bid of €25 million with City before their victory in the Milan derby on Sunday but the offer has been rejected by the Premier League leaders.
City, who were seeking €48 million for the 27-year-old following the controversy over his non-appearance against Bayern Munich in September, remain adamant that Tevez will not be granted his wish to leave the Etihad Stadium unless they receive a fee of around €36 million.
Despite rival interest from Paris St-Germain, among others, Inter are firm favourites to sign the Argentina international having recognised that City will not sanction a departure on loan before the close of the transfer window.
Their city rivals Milan had hoped to secure a loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer but received no encouragement from City and are not expected to match Inter’s bid in this window.
With Inter only €4 million short of City’s valuation and two weeks before the transfer deadline, the prospect of Tevez leaving the Premier League for San Siro remains strong.
Inter president Massimo Moratti confirmed his club’s move for Tevez following the derby victory that moved Claudio Ranieri’s team to within five points of the Serie A leaders Juventus.
“Do we need Tevez? At this moment it seems not but football gives different answers every day,” Moratti said.
“The offer is there but now we are free to decide whether to go ahead or not. I believe there are still other teams involved. There are clubs in England as well as PSG. Our offer is €25 million. Now it depends on them whether they accept or not.”
Despite Moratti’s claim of rival interest in Tevez, the striker is not believed to be interested in a move to Paris. Ranieri issued mixed messages over Inter’s intentions after the win over Milan but his club are in the strongest position to conclude a deal. The former Chelsea manager said: “Tevez? If the president wants to give the city of Milan a present . . . I’m used to working with what I’ve got.” However, Ranieri told Rai Sport: “If he joins, he’ll be very welcome.”
Tevez has been absent from City since heading home to Argentina early in November, having been found guilty of gross misconduct and fined almost €970,000 so far as he fights to bring his career with Roberto Mancini’s team to a close.
City have not commented on the player since his departure to South America. Their stance has softened to some degree, given their reduced asking price, although the club are adamant they will not be held to ransom by their former captain.
There is pressure on City, who posted a record loss of €238 million in October, to comply with Uefa’s financial fair play rules or face possible expulsion from European competition when they come into effect in 2014.
GuardianService
