Soccer:Roberto Mancini is standing by his claims that Carlos Tevez will remain at Manchester City. The Blues manager caught most observers on the hop immediately after Tuesday's 3-0 Premier League win over Stoke when he claimed Tevez had told him he wanted to remain with the Eastlands outfit.
Within 24 hours, the picture had become more clouded, with Tevez's representatives privately claiming the striker had said nothing of the sort. Even senior figures within the club wonder whether Tevez's trusted advisor Kia Joorabchian is trying to find an alternative suitor, who would be willing to pay the vast transfer fee and wages the South American would command.
However, as he looked ahead to Sunday's trip to Bolton, Mancini was adamant Tevez is not about to make his final appearance for the club.
"I don't think it will be Carlos' last game," said Mancini. "On Tuesday, I told you all my opinion and I am sure about this. But I can't continue to have a press conference to answer this question. I have spoken with Carlos. I have spoken with him many times in the last weeks and I don't need to speak with him again."
Mancini is not entirely convinced about quotes emerging from Argentina, attributed to Tevez, that the former West Ham star views his future as being elsewhere.
"I don't know if he has said these things," he said. "Sometimes I have spoken to journalists in Italy and when the comments come back here, it is something completely different. I understand it can happen because of the translation.
Tevez reportedly told Argentine station Radio del Plata: "I want to leave Manchester City. Football has changed a lot for me and I don't know if I will even make it to the next World Cup. And that has nothing to do with whether I'm selected or not.
"I've been treated very well here and I'm grateful. I also gave my everything for the club to receive the results it has had. But I need a change of scene."
On where he might end up, Tevez added: "To go back to Boca Juniors would be beautiful but it is very difficult. But if we're speaking seriously, financial issues would make my return difficult."
Meanwhile, Mancini has ruled out the chances of making a big-money move for Cristiano Ronaldo this summer. After two seasons without any significant silverware since he moved to Real Madrid, it has been claimed Ronaldo is ready to leave the Bernabeu.
A €170 million price tag is said to have been put on a player who cost Real a world record €94 million when he left Manchester United following the 2009 Champions League final.
But Mancini laughed at suggestions he might be interested.
"We have signed Cristiano Ronaldo for €200 million," joked the Italian. "I said after the FA Cup final, I would like to sign Ronaldo, Messi, Fabregas and Iniesta. I don't think it is possible.
"I don't know why this has come out. I don't know anything about it. Cristiano Ronaldo is a fantastic player but I don't think he will leave Real Madrid."
