Soccer: Roberto Mancini thinks Carlos Tevez may stay at Manchester City - because nobody wants him. After a fraught summer, during which Tevez handed in an official transfer request and was unsuccessfully pursued by former club Corinthians, the Argentina striker returned to training on Monday.
It was still anticipated he would leave City before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, with Inter Milan leading the chase. However, Mancini insists there has been no contact. And with time ticking down, he would welcome the prospect of Tevez staying where he is.
"It is two weeks until the end of the market," said Mancini. "I think it is difficult for him to leave. I don't know if he will stay but at the moment, there isn't a team who want to take him. I would be happy if he stays."
Mancini has indicated Tevez will not be involved in Monday's Premier League opener with Swansea, whilst fellow countryman Sergio Aguero is only likely to be on the bench as he is also lacking match sharpness.
"Sergio is not ready to play 90 minutes," said the City chief.
Mancini was giving little away over his pursuit of Arsenal's Samir Nasri, although it is believed discussions between the two clubs are taking place.
"I don't know what the situation is," he said. "We start in the Premier League on Monday and we need to complete our team. We hope we can do that very quickly because we need more players."
Mancini did confirm he likes the look of Fiorentina winger Alessio Cerci, although it is by no means certain he will make an official approach for the 24-year-old.
"He is a good, young player, who could be an option," he said. "But there are other players. We need some for the Champions League and others to complete our squad for the Premier League."
Mancini also claimed he regarded Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has been linked with a move to Bolton, as a different case to the rest of his disgruntled squad men, who know they have little chance of getting any meaningful action this season.
Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor both fall into that category.
Mancini said of Wright-Phillips: "Shaun is a different situation. I have some good players, who deserve to play but it is not possible for them here. I hope they find a solution.
"But Shaun is a very good guy who did well for us in pre-season."
Mancini did confirm he likes the look of Fiorentina winger Alessio Cerci, although it is by no means certain he will make an official approach for the 24-year-old.
"He is a good, young player, who could be an option," he said. "But there are other players. We need some for the Champions League and others to complete our squad for the Premier League."
Mancini also claimed he regarded Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has been linked with a move to Bolton, as a different case to the rest of his disgruntled squad men, who know they have little chance of getting any meaningful action this season.
Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor both fall into that category.
Mancini said of Wright-Phillips: "Shaun is a different situation. I have some good players, who deserve to play but it is not possible for them here. I hope they find a solution. But Shaun is a very good guy who did well for us in pre-season."
